The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1910-11-02
CHAPTER XIX.
At the Table Next.

Mcknight and fiotchklSS were
sauntering slowly down the read as
caught UP with them. As usual, the
little man was busy with some alb
struSe mental problem.
''The idea is this nc was saving.
his browS knitted in thought If a
left-handCd man, standing in the po-
sition of the man in the picture.
should jump from a car, would he be
likely to sprain his right ankle? When
right-handcd man prepares for a
leap of that kind, my theory is that he
would hold On with his right hand,
and alight at the proper time, on his
right foot. OF course"
Il imagine. although I don't know"
interrupted Mcknight, that a man
either ambideXtrouS or one-armed,
jumping from the Washington Filler.
would be more likely To land on his
head"
Anyhow" I interpOsed. what diff
ference does it make whether Sullivan
used che hand or the other? One pair
of handouts will put beth hands out
of commission"
AS usual when one of his pet the
cries was attacked. HOtchkiss looked
aggrieved
My dear sir" he expoStulated,
don't you understand what bearing
this has on the case? How WIS the
murdered man lying when he was
found"
On his back" l said promptly.
head toward the engine"
Very we'll" he retorted. land what
then? Your heart lies under your
fifth intcrcostal space, and TO reach il
i riGht-handed blow would have struck
either down or directly in.
but. gentlemen. the point of en-
trance for the Stiletto was below the
heart. striking up, AS Harrington
lay with his head toward the engine. a
person in the aisle must have used
the left hand"
Meningitis eyes sought mine and
he winked at me Solcmnly as | unos-
tCntatiouSly transferred the hat | was
carrying to my right hand. Long
training has largely counterbalanCed
hercdity in my case. but | still pitch
ball. play tennis and carve with my
left hand But Hotchkiss was too busy
with his theories to notice me.
We We're only just in time for our
train back to Baltimore. but Nc
Knight took advantage of a seconds
delay to shake the station agent warm
ly Ivy the hand.
Il want TO express my admiration
for YOU" he said beaminGly. Ability
OF your order is thrown away here.
You should have been a city police
man. my friend.
The agent looked trifie uncertain.
The young lady was the one who
told me TO keep still he said.
Mcknight glanced AT me. gave the
agents hand final shake. and
climbed on board. But | knew per-
fectly that he had guessed the reason
for my delay.
He was very silent on the way
home. Hotchkiss. too, had little to
say. He was reading over his notes
intently. stopping now and then to
make pencilcd addition. lust be-
fore we left the train Richey turned
to me- Il suppose il was the key to
the door that she tied to the gate?"
Probably. | did not ask her"
Curious. her locking that fellow
in" he reflected.
You may depend on if, there was a
good reason for il all And wish
you wouldn't be so suspicious of mo-
tiyes. Rich" | said warmly
Only yesterday you were the sus-
piciouS one" he retortCd. and We
lapsed into strained silence.
Ii was late when we got to Wash,
ing,on. One of Mrs. klopton'S small
tyrannies was cXacting punctuality at
meals. and. like several other things
respected il. There are always
some concessions that should be made
in return for faithful service.
So. as my dinner hour of seven was
long past. Mcknight and / went to a
little restaurant downtown where they
have 4 very decent way of fixing
chicken Ia King. HotchkisS had de.
parted. economically bent. for small
hotel where he lived on the American
plan.
Il want to think some things over.
he said in response to my invitation
to dinner, and. anyhow. there's nc
use dining out when pay the same
dinner or no dinner. where l am stop
ping
The day had been hot. and the frs,
floor dining room was sultry in spite
OF the palms and fans which attempted
to simulate the verdure and breezes
of the country.
1t was crowded. too, with a typical
summer night crowd, and, after sit
ting for a few minutes in a swelter
ing corner. We got up and went to the
smaller dining room upstairs. Here i,
was not so warm, and We settled our
selves comfortably by q window.