The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1910-09-30
CHAPTER vI-continued.

CHAPTER Vl-continued.
Then you haven't heard the rest OF
the tragedy" asked, holding out the
case. tits frightfully bad luck for
me, but it makes good story. You
see"
At that moment the conductor and
porter ceased their colloquy. The con-
ductor came directly toward me, tug
ging as he came at his bristling gray
mustache.
Il would like to talk to you in the
car" he said to me, with a curious
glance at the young lady.
Cant 1t waltz" l objected. 1--WE
are on our way to a cup of coffee and
: slice of bacon. Be merciful as you
are powerful"
I'm afraid the breakfast will have
to watt" he replied. Il won't keep
you long" There was note of au-
thority in his voice which l resented: :
but, after all, the circumstances were
unusual.
We'll have to defer that cup of
coffee for WHILE" l said to the girl;
''but don't despair; there's breakfast
somewhere"
As we entered the car, she stood
aside, but felt rather than saw that
she followed us. l was surprised to
see half dozen men gathered around
number seven. 1t had not yet been
made up.
AS we passed along the aisle, was
conscious of a new expression on the
faces of the passengers. The tall wom-
an who had tainted was searching my
face with narrowed eyes, while the
stout woman of the kindly heart
look out of the window.
AS we pushed our way through the
group. fancied that it closed around
me ominously. The conductor said
nothing, but led the way without cere-
nony to the side of the berth.
Whats the matter?" inquired.
was puzzled, but not apprehensive.
.Have you some of my things? I'd be
thankful even for my shoes; these are
0On1OunQoQly tlgnt.
Nobody spoke. and fell silent, too.
Tor one Of the pillows had been turned
ever, and the under side Of the white
case was streaked with brownish
Stains. / think It was q perceptble
time before / realized that the stains
were blood. and that the faces around
were filed with suspicion and dis
trust.
why. it-that looks like blood" I
Gaid vacuously. There was an inces-
SAINT pounding In my ears. and the
conductors voice came from far on.
1T is blood" he asserted grimly.
looked around with dizzy at
tempt at nonchalance. Even If it is."
! demonstrated, surely you don't sup
pose sor q moment that know any
thing about it,"
The amateur detective elbowed his
way In. He had scrap of transpar-
ent paper in his hand, and pencil.
Il would like permission to trace
the stains" he began eagerly. Also"
to me-'if you will kindly jab your
Anger with q pin-needle-anything-"
III you don't keep out of this" the
conductor said savagely, II will do
some jabbing myself. As for you,
SIR" he turned to me. was alb
solutely innocent but ! knew that
presented typical picture of guilt;
va covered with cold sweat, and the
pounding in my ears kept up dizzily.
sAs for you, sir
The irrepressible amateur detective
1ade = quick pounce at the pillow and
puohod hack the cover. Before our in
orodulous eyes he drew out narrow
steal dirk which had been buried to
~ small cross that served as head.
There was chorus of voices
nronnd. . quick surging forward OF
~ crowd. So that was what had
Dcrotched my hand! buried the
wound In my coat pocket.
We'll" said. trying to speak natur-
nlly. doesn't that prove what have
boon telling you? The man who COM
nlttod the murder belonged to this
Dorlh, and made an exchange In some /
- after the crime. How do you
|n1Iv he didn't change the tags 80 I
vcnlA come back to this berth?' This
- a inspiration; l was pleased
NJ II That's what he did, he
Y 1111ld "a The tags" reiterated.
r. - 80 ! murmur Of assent
The doctor. who was stand
use, put his hand on my
W. ~ ~ sgentlemAn committed
.erlne. y / fcr one feel sure he