The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1910-02-12


a1cuffously Saert little man, adjusting
his glasses with nervous fingers, my
face must have shown my dismay.
1t was the amateur detective Of the
Ontario!
shook hands without enthusiasm.
Here was the one survivor Of the
wrecked car who could do me any
amount Of harm. There was NO hope
that he had forgotten any Of the in
eliminating details. In fact, he held
in his hand the very notebook which
contained them.
His manner was restrained, but It
was evident he was highly excited. I
introduced him to Mcknight, who has
the imagination lack, and who
placed him at once, mentally.
Il only learned yesterday that you
had been-er-saved," he said rapid.
ly. Terrible accident-unspeaka
Dream about 1t all night and think
about 1t all day. Broken arm?"
mo. He just wears the splint to
be different from other people," Nc
knight drawled lazily. glared at
him; there was nothing to be gained
by antagonizing the little man.
Yes, fractured humerus, which
isn't as funny as It sounds"
Observation-Disclosures Pretty good"
he cackled. II must say you keep up
your spirits pretty well, considering
everything"
You seem to have escaped injury"
I parted. He was fumbling for some
thing in his pockets.
Yes, I escaped" he replied alb
stractedly. Remarkable thing, too.
I haven't doubt would have broken
my neck. but landed on-youll never
guess what! landed head first on
the very pillow which was under in
spection at the time of the wreck. You
remember. don't you? Where did
put that packagef''
He found 1t finally and opened It on
a table, displaying with some theatric-
alism rectangular piece Of muslin
and similar patch Of striped tick
ing.
You recognize it," he said. 1.-THE
stains. you see, and the hole made by
the dirk. I tried to bring away the
entire pillow, but they thought was
stealing it, and made me give 1t up"
Richey touched the pieces gingerly.
"By George" he said, "and you carry
that around in your pocket! What If
you should mistake It for your hand
kerchief?"
But Mr.. Hotchkiss was not listen
ing. He stood bent somewhat for
ward, leaning over the table, and fixed
me with his ferret-like eyes.
Have you seen the evening papers.
Mr.. Blakeley?' he inquired.
l glanced to where they lay I'm.
| opened, and shook my head
Then I have disagreeable task"
he said with evident relish. "Of
course. you had considered the matter
of the man Harrington's death closed,
or TIE wreck. IA myself As far
| ! was con ;erptt. meant 10 Let IT.
| er,a.r so. Their we're no other sur
WIGS. a. lc2.. rol- that | knew OF,
and in sTite CT c.rcum stances, there
wArc number CT GIFTS III your ia-
yor.
Il verified YOU identity, for H.
stance, as soon as | recovered from
the shock. Also-l found Oh inquirIne
az your tailor that y0u invariably wore
dark clothing"
| Mcknight came forward threatening
ly. Who are you, anyhow" he de-
manded And how is this any bust
1 IS t4Hl lit
entirely unruffled.
Il have a minor position here" he
said. reaching for visiting card 81
am very small patch on the seat OF
government, sir"
| Mcknight muttered something about
certain offensive designs against the
said patch and retired grumbling to
the window. Our visitor was opening
the paper with a tremendous expendi.
ture of energy.
Here it is. Listen" He read rap.
idly aloud:
THE Pittsburg police have sent to
Baltimore two detectives who are
looking up the survivors of the ILL
fated Washington Filler. 1t has trans
pired that Simon Harrington. the
Wood street merchant of that city,
was not killed in the wreck, but was
murdered in his berth the night pre-
ceding the accident. Shortly before
the collision, John Flanders, the con-
ductor of the Filler, sent this telegram
to the chief of police:
| Body of Simon Harrington found
stabbed In his berth, lower ten, On
tario, at $3.50 this morning
"JOHN FLANDERS, Conductor
ut is hoped that the survivors Of
the wrecked car Ontario will be found,
to tell what they know of the discov.
cry of the crime
| Mr.. John Gilmore. head of the
steel company for which Mr.. Harring.
ton was purchasing agent, has signified
his intention of sitting the natter to