The Hattiesburg news., 1910-02-24
THE HATrAnrDUlM3 NEMA


II yeu take Monsieur Blakeley with
you. hope you choke"
The lean man nodded gravely..
"Prosit." he said. But the fat one
leaned back and laughed consumedly
Hotchkiss finished a mental synop-
sis of his position, and put down his
glass. Gentlemen" he said pompous-
ly, within five minutes the man you
want will be here, a murderer caught
In a net of evidence SO fine that
mosquito could not get through"
The detectives glanced at each 9TH
er solemnly. Had they not in their
possession q sealskin bag containing
a wallet and bit of gold chain, which
by putting the crime on me. would
leave gap big enough for Sullivan
himself to crawl through?
Why don't you say your little
speech before Johnson brings the 9th
er man, Lawrence?" Mcknight in
quired. They won't believe you, but
1t will help them to understand what
is coming"
you Urde- stand, of course" the
lean man put in gravely, that what
you say may be used against you.'
IN take the risk" l answered i'm
patiently.
1t took come time to tell the story
of my worso than useless trip to Pitts
burg, and its sequel. They lict2-. y.
gravely, without interruption.
MI. Hotchkiss here,' finished
believes that the man Sullivan, whom
We are momontarily expecting, COM
mitted the crime. Mr.. Mcknight is
inclined to implicate Mrs. Conway
who stabbed Bronson and then her
self last night. AS for myself, | am
oper to conviction"
;, Il hope not said the stout detec
tive quizzically. And then Alison was
announced. My impulse to go ou
and meet her was forestalled by the
detectives, who rose when did. Nc
Knight, therefore. brought her in, ant
l met her at the door.
Il have put you to a great deal O
.. trouble" I said contritely, when | sav
her glance around the room. 81 wisl
had not"
1T is only right that | should come,
she replied. looking up at me. 81 an
the unconscious cause of most of il
I am afraid. Mrs. Dallas is going t
wait IN the outer Office"
I presented Hotchkiss and the tw
detectives, who eyed her with intel
est In her poise, her beauty, even
!, her gown, l fancy she represented
new type to them. They rename
:. standing until she sat down.
. 81 have brought the necklace" sh
a began, holding out a white-wrappe
= box, "as you asked me to-"
v I passed 1t, unopened, to the dete
tlves. The necklace from which ws
d broken the fragment you found in tt
= 1sealskin bag" l explained. Mi.
4 West found 1T on the floor of the ca
a near lower ten"
When did you find it?" asked IL
z lean detective, bending forward,
e I'm the morning, not long before Il
wreck"
n Did you ever see 1t before?"
t. Il am not certain" she replied.
r. have seen one very much like It., "A
IS tone was troubled. She glanced al n
If for help, but was powerless.
% "Where?" The detective was watc
h ing her closely.
e. AT that moment there came an |
re terruption. The door opened witho
re ceremony, and Johnson ushered in
E. tall, blonde man, a stranger to all
q us. I'glanced at Alison; she was pa
but composed and scornful She m
h the newcomers eyes full, and, caug
u unawares. he took a hasfy backwa
step.
e '"Sit down, Mr.. Sullivan McKnig
N beamed cordially. Have a cigar?
p beg your pardon, Alison, do you mi,
this smoker"
n Mot at ALL" she said composed
t. Sullivan had had a second to SOU,
s. his bearings.
ID Mono, thanks" he mumbled. g
ls you will be good enough to explain
n But that's what you're to do" M
y Knight said cheerfully, pulling up
n chair. you've got the most attenti,
W audience you could ask. These tv
~ gentlemen are detectives from Pitt
e burg, and we are all curious to l.no
IT the finer details of what happened {
the car Ontario two weeks ago,
u night your father-in-law was
1t dered." Sullivan gripped III,
o his chair. I'VE are