Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-05-07

drew a long breath. OF course.
that was the explanation This was
number seven's berth. that was his
soft hat. this his umbrella. his coat.
his bag My rage turned 10 irritation
at myself.
The porter went TO the next berth
and I could hear his softly insinuat.
ing voice. Time TO get up. sir. Are
you awake? Time to get up"
There was no response from num-
Der nine. I guessed that he had
opened the curtains and was looking
In. Then he came back.
Number mines empty" he said
Empty! DO you mean my clothes
aren't theTe?" I demanded My va
Use? Why don't you answer me?"
You dOan give me time" he retort-
ed There amt nothin' there. But
it's been slept in"
The disappointment was the greater
for my few moments OF hope I sat
up in a white fury and put on the
clothes that had been left me. Then,
still raging. l sat on the edge OF the
berth and put on the obnoxious tan
shoes. The porter. called 90 his du-
ties. made little excursions back to
me. 60 offer assistance and 20 chuckle
at my discontinue. He stood by. out
vardly deCOrous. but with little irri-
Eating grins OF amusement around his
mouth. when I finally emerged with
the red tie In my hand
efflDf tho crrrar - sr,e. ~1,tho- 4 4
not become them any more than you
DO" he said. as he piled the ubiquitous
whisk broom.
when I get the owner of these
clothes" 1 retorted grimly. 'he will
need a shroud Where's the con
ductor?"
The conductor was coming, he as
sured me; also that there was no bag
answering the description OF mine on
the car I slammed my way 10 the
dressing room. washed. choked my
fifteen and a half neck into a fifteen
collar. and was back again In less
than five minutes. The car, as well as
tts occupants. was gradually taking
on daylight appearance. hobbled
in. for one OF the shoes was abomin-
ably tight. and found myself facing a
young woman in blue with an unfor-
setable face. C'Three women already"
Mcknight says: That's going some.
even II you don't count the Gilmore
nurse.") She stood. half-turned to-
ward me. one hand idly dropping. the
other steadying her as she gazed out
at the flying landscape. / had an in
nf frtr
somewhere, under different circum-
stances. more cheerful ones. I thought.
Tor the girls detection now was evil
dent Reside her. sitting down a small
dark woman. considerably older. was
talking in "A rapid undertone. The
girl nodded indinerently now and then
! fancied. although I was not sure
that my appearance brought a startled
look into the young woman's face 7
SAT down. and. hands thrust deep into
tho other mans pockets. stared rue
fully az the other mans shoes.
The stage was set. In moment
the curt3ln was Eoirs up on the first
act OF the play. And for a while we
would ell say oar little speeches and
sing our little scuE-. and I. the vii
lain. would hold center stage while the
gallery Kissed.
The porter was standing beside low
er ten. lie had reached in and was
knocking yaliantiy. But his efforts
met with no response. lie winked at
me over his shoulder; then he unfast-
ened the curtains and bent forward
Behind him, ! saw him stimen. heard
his muttered exclamation. saw the
blush pallor that spread over his
face and neck. AS he retreated a
step the interior OF lower ten lay open
60 the day.
The man in IL was on HIS back the
early morning sun striking full on
his upturned face. But the light did
not disturb him. a small stain of red
dyed the front OF his night clothes
and trailed across the sheet: his half
open eyes were fixed, without seeing.
on the shining wood above.
grasped the porter's shaking shout
ders and stared down 10 where the
train impaired to the body a grisly
suggestion OF motion. Good Lord" I
gasped. the mans been murdered"
(TO BE CONTINUED