The Montgomery tribune., 1910-10-21
CHAPTER xVll-Continued.


"Was the name Blakeley?" | asked.
1T might have been--I can't say.
But the man wasn't there, and there
was a lot of noise. | couldn't hear
we'll Then in half an hour down came
the other twin to say the gentleman
was taking on awful and didn't want
the message sent"
Hes gone, of course?"
"Yes. Limped down here in about
three days and took the noon train for
the city"
1t seemed a certainty now that our
man, having hurt himself somewhat
in his jump, had stayed quietly in the
farm house until he was able to trav-
ell. But, to be positive, we decided to
visit the Carter place.
I gave the station agent five-dol-
lar bill, which he rolled up with
couple of others and stuck in his
pocket. turned as we got to a bend
in the road, and he was looking curl
ously after us.
1t was not until we had climbed the
hill and turned onto the road to the
Carter place that / realized where we
were going. Although we approached
1t from another direction, knew the
farm house at once. 1t was the one
where Alison West and l had break
tasted nine days before. With new
restraint between us, | did not tell
Mcknight I wondered afterward If
he had suspected it. l saw him look
ing hard at the gatepost which had
figured in one of our mysteries, but he
asked no questions. Afterward he
grew almost taciturn, for him, and let
me do most of the talking.
We opened the front gste of the
Carter place and went slowly up the
walk. Two ragged youngsters, alike
even to freckles and squints, were
playing in the yard.
as your mother around?" l asked.
I'm the front room. Walk in," they
answered in identical tones.
AS we got to the porch we heard
voices, and stopped. / knocked, but
the people within, engaged in animat-
ed, rather one-sided conversation, did
not answer.
In the front room. Walk in"
quoted Mcknight, and did so.
In the stuffy farm parlor two peo-
pie were sitting. One, pleasant
faced woman with checked apron,
rose, somewhat embarrassed, to meet
us. She did not know me, and l was
thankful. But our attention was riv-
eted on a little man who was sitting
before a table, writing busily. 1t was
Hotchkiss!
He got up when he saw us, and had
the grace to look uncomfortable
Such an interesting case" he said
nervously, Il took the liberty
Look here" said Mcknight sud-
denly, "did you make any inquiries
at the station?"
"A few" he confessed 81 went to
the theater last night felt the need
of little relaxation-and the sight of
a picture there, cinematograph af-
fair, started new line of thought.
Probably the same clew brought you
gentlemen. / learned a good bit from
the station agent"
"The son-of-a-gun," said Mcknight.
"And you paid him, suppose?"
Il gave him five dollars" was the
apologetic answer.
Mrs. Carter, hearing sounds of
strife in the yard, went out, and
Hotchkiss folded up his papers.
Il think the identity of the man is
established" he said What number
of hat do you wear, Mr.. Blakeley?"
Seven and quarter" I replied.
We'll, it's only piling UP evidence"
he said cheerfully "On the night of
the murder you wore gray silk under
clothing, with the second button OF
the shirt missing. Your hat had Il.
b. in gilt letters inside, and there was
very minute hole in the toe of one
black sock" n
Hush" Mcknight protested. "If
word gets to Mrs. Klopton that Mr..
Blakeley was wrecked. or robbed or
whatever 1t was, with button miss
ing and hole In one sock, she'll re-
tire to the Old Ladies' home. I've
heard her threaten it,"
Mr.. Hotchkiss was without sense
OF humor. He regarded Mcknight
grayely and went on:
"T've been up In the room where the
man lay while he was unable to get