The Huttig news., 1910-04-23
What's the matterY, I inquired.

thankful even for my shoes; these are confoundedly tight
 Nobody spoke, and fell silent. too. For one of the pillows had been turned over, and the under side of the white case was streakea with brownish stains. l think it was a perceptibe time before l realized that the stains were blood. and that the faces around were flied with suspicion and dis trust.
 Why, it--that looks like blood" 1 said vaeuously. There was an inces. sant pounding in my ears, and the conductors voice came from far off.
 Tt is blood" he asserted grimiy l locked around with dizzy at tempt at nonchalance. Even if it is, I remonstrated, surely you don't sup pose for a moment that l know any thing about it"
 The amateur detective elbowed his way in. He had a scrap of transpar- ent paper in his hand, and pencil.
 'I would like permission to trace the stains, he began eagerly. Also ito me-'if you will kindly jab your finger with a -needle--anything-
 If you don't keep out of this the conductor said. savagely. T will do some jabbing myself. As for you, sir" he turned to me. I was ab- solutely innocent, but 1 knew that presented a typical picture of guilt; was covered with cold sweat, and the pounding in my ears kept up dizzily. As for you, sir"
 The irrepressible amateur detective made quick bounce at the pillow and pushed back the cover. Before our in- credu,ous eyes he drew out narrow steel dirk which had been buried to the small cross that served as head.
 There was chorus of voices around, quick surging forward of the crowd So that was what had scratched my hand l buried the wound in my coat pocket.
 Well" I said, trying to speak natur- ally, doesn't that prove what have been telling you? The man who com mitted the murder be ionged to this berth, and made an exchange in some way after the crime. How do you know he didn't change the tags so 1 would come back to this berth?" ihis was an inspiration; l was plsased with it. That's wha: he did, he changed the tags, l reiterated.
 There was a nlurmur of assent around. The doctor, who was stand ing beside me. put his hand on my arm If this gentleman committed this crime, and for one feel sure he did not. then who is the fellow who got away? And why did he go?'
 We have only one mans word for that" the conductor snarled I've tiav eled some in these cars myself and no one ever changed berths with me
 Somebody on the edge Of the group asserted that hereafter he would travel by daylight I glanced Up and caught the eye of the girl in blue
 They are all mad. she said. Her tone was low. but heard her distinct iy Don't take them seriously enough to defend yourself.
 T am glad you think I didn't do it. observed meskly. over the crowd Nothing else is of any importance
 The conductor had pulled out his note book again. Your name, please, = he said grufly
 Lawrence Rlakelcy Washington"
 Your occupation?H
 Attorney. member of the firm of B1akelcy & Mcknight"
 "Mr. Blakeley. you say you have occupied the wrong berth and have been robbed Do you know anything of the man who did it?''
 Only from what he left behind l answered "These clothes-'
 "They fit you" he said with quick susnicion Isn't that rather coinci- derce? You are large man
 Good heavens" 1 rctorted stung to fury. do look like man who would wear this kind of necl<tie? Do you suppose I carry purple and green barred silk handkerchiefs? Would any man in his SC nses wear a pair of shoes full size too small?'
 The conductor was inclined to hedge. .'You will have to gr->t that I am in a peculiar position" he said s1 have only your word as to the C; chang of bsrtiis, and you understand am merely doing my duty. Are there any clews in the nockets2 For the second time l emptied them of their contents. which he noted 'Is that all?" he finished. There was nothing else2"
 Nothing"
 That's not all. sir" broke in the norter. stepping forward. There was i a small black satchel.a
 That's so" I exclaimed q forgot ! the bag. I don't even know where it s'
 ] The easily swaved crowd looked svs- i picious again. I've grown so accus- toned to reading the faces of a jury, i seeing them swing from doubt to be- i lief. and back again to doubt. that I l instinctively watch expressions l saw i that my forgotfulness had dole me i harm-that suspicion was reused l again.
 The bag was found a couple of seats away. under somebody's raineoat- an o,bar 5,,bioYc eir