The Hattiesburg news., 1910-02-21

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"By the Way, Mrs. Conway Dropped
In the Office Yesterday, While you
Were Away"
the house and honking until some one
comes out. He has a code of signals
with the horn, which l never remem-
ber. Two long and a short blast
mean, believe, Send out box of
cigarettes" and six short blasts,
which sound like police call, mean
Can you lend me some money!" To-
night l knew something was up, for
he got out and rang the door-bell like
a Christian.
They came into the library, and
Hotchkiss wiped his collar until it
cleaned. Mcknight was aggressively
cheerful.
mot pinched yeti" he exclaimed
What do you think of that for luck!
You always were a fortunate devil,
Lawrence"
"Yes," l assented with some bitter
ness, Il hardly know how to contain
myself for joy sometimes. 1 suppose
you know"-to Hotchkiss-"that the
police were here while we were at
Cresson, and that they found the bag
that l brought from the wreck?"
Things are coming to a head" he
said thoughtfully, unless little plan
that | have in mind" he hesitated.
Il hope SO; I am pretty nearly des.
perate,' said, doggedly. I've got a
mental toothache, and the sooner it's
pulled the better"
Tut, tut" sadi Mcknight, think
Of the disgrace to the, firm if it's senior
member goes up for life, or" he
twisted his handkerchief into a moose,
and went through an elaborate pan
tomime.
Although jail isn't SO bad, any
how" he finished, there are fellows
that get the habit and keep going
back and going back" He looked at
his watch. and l fancied his cheerful
ness was strained. Hotchkiss was
nervously fumbling my book.
Did you ever read the Purloined
Letter, Mr.. Blakeley?" he inquired.
Probably, years ago." I said. Poe.
isn't it,"
He was choked at my indifference.
1T ID q masterpiece," ne said, with
enthusiasm. 'T re-read it to-day"
And what happened?"
Then l inspected the rooms in the
house OF Washington Circle. IL
made some discoveries, Mr.. Blakeley.
For one thing. our man there Is left.
handed" He looked around for our
approval. There was q small cush-
ion on the dresser, and the scarf
pins in it had been stuck in with the
left hand"
Somebody may have twisted the
cushion" objected, but he looked
hurt, and l desisted.
There is only one discrepancy" he
admitted, but it troubles me. Ac.
cording to Mrs Carter, at the farm
house, our man wore gaudy pajamas,
while found here only the most Sc
verely plain night-shirts.
ANY buttons Off" Mcknight in.
quired, looking again at his watch.
The buttons were there" the anna
teur detective answered gravely, but
the buttonhole next the top one was
torn through
Mcknight winked at me furtively.
| Il am convinced of one thing"
Hotchkiss went on, clearing his
throat, "the papers are not in that
room. Either he carries them with
him, or he has sold them"
A sound on the street made both
my visitors listen sharply. Whatever
1t was II passed on, however. l was
growing curious and the restraint was
telling Oh Mcknight He has no
talent for secrecy. In the interval we
discussed the strange occurrence at
Cresson. which lost nothing by Hotch-
kiss dry narration.
And So" he concluded, "the wom-
an in the Baltimore hospital is the
wife Of Henry Sullivan and the daugh.
ter Of the man he murdered. No won
der he collapsed when he heard of
the wreck"
Joy. probably" Mcknight put in.
rs that clock right, Lawrence? Never
mind. 1t doesn't matter. BY the way,
Mrs. Conway dropped in the once yes.
terday, while you were away"
What" sprang from ny chair.
Sure thing. Said she had heard
great things Of us, and wantsd us\ to
handle her case against the nilroad."
Il would like to know wht she IL
driving a." renected. n sho tuIyI
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