Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-05-07
CHAPTER l.
. Go TO Pittsbura.


like that. where you can build up a
network OF clews that absolutely in
criminate three entirely different PEG
pie, only one OF whom can be guilty.
and your faith in circumstantial evil
dense dies of overcro ding. I never
see a shiverinE. white-faced wretch in
the prisoners dock that do not bark
back with shuddering horror TO the
strange events on the Pullman car
Ontario. between Washington and
Pittsburg. on the night OF September
3. last
Mcknight could tell the story a
great deal better than T. although he
cannot spell three consecutive words
correctly. Bu. while he has imagi-
nation and humor. he is lazy
1T didn't happen 20 me. anyhow"
he protested. when I put IL mp 20 him
And nobody cares for secondhand
thrills. Besides you want the un-
vanished and unEarnished truth. and
I'm no hand for that I'm a lawyer
So am I. although there have been
times when my assumption in that
particular has been disputed. I am
unmarried. and just old enough 20
dance with the grown-up little sisters
OF the girls used 20 know. I am fond
of outdoors. prefer horses 20 the afore-
said Erown-up little sisters. and with
out sentiment cam crossed out and
was" substituted -EdD and com
plctely ruled and frequently routed by
my housekeepor. an elderly widow.
In fact. OF an the men OF my &C
ouaintance. I was probably the most
prosaic. the least adventurous. the
one man in a hundred who would be
likely 90 go without a deviation from
the normal through the orderly pro
cession Of the seasons. summer suits
90 winter fannels golf 90 bridge
SO 80 was a queer freak OF the de-
mons OF chance 20 perch ON my I'M
susceptible 30-year-old chest. tie me
mp with a crime. ticket me with a
love AFFAIR. and start me on that sen
aational and not always respectable
journey that ended so surprisingly less
than three weeks later in the firms
private office II had been the most
remarkable period OF my life. I would
neither give e up nor live IL again
under any inducement and yet all
that ! lost was some 90 yards Oh my
drive
II was really Meningitis turn 20
make the next journey. had
tournament al Chevy Chase for Satur-
day. and a short yacht cruise planned
for Sunday. and when man has been
grinding az statute law FOR week he
needs relaxation But Mcknight
begged on. II Vas not the first time
he had shirked that summer in order
90 run down 20 Richmond. and I was
Eurly about e. But this time be had
q new excuse
Il wouldn't be able to look after the
business IL did go" he said. He has
4 sort OF wideeyed frankness that
makes one ashamed 10 doubt him.
I'm always car sick crossing the
mountains. It's a fact. Lollie. See
saving over the peaks does IT, Why.
crossing the Allegheny mountains has
the gulf stream 70 Bermuda beaten TO
n fragile"
So I gave him up finally and went
home TO pack he came later in the
evening with his machine. the Can
nonball. 10 take me 20 the station, and
he brought the forged notes In the
Bronson case.
Guard them with your life" he
warned me. They are more precious
tnan honor Sew them in your chest
protector. or wherever people keep
VAluables. never keep any. I'll not
be happy until see Gentleman Andy
doing the lockstep"
He sat down on my clean collars,
found my cigarettes and struck a
match on the mahogany bed post with
one movement
Where's the Pirate?" he demanded.
The Pirate Is my housekeeper. Mrs
Rlopton, a very worthy woman, so
labeled-and libeled-because OF a fe-
rocious pair OF eyes and what Nc
Knight called a bucaneering nose ]
quietly closed the door into the hall.
Keep your voice down, Richey," /
said "She is looking for the evening
paper TO see II II ia going to rain. She
Has my raincost and ar umbrella wait
ing in the hall"
The collars being damaged beyond
repair, he left them and went TO the
window He stood there for some
time, staring at the blackness that
represented the wall IF the house
next door.
It's raining now" he said over his
shoulder. and closed the window and
the shutters. Something in his voice
made me glance up. but he was watch
ing me. his hands idly IN his pockets.
who lives next door," he inquired
In a perfunctory tone. after Il pause.
I was packing my razor.
House is empty" I returned absent.
~. IF the landlord would put IL IN
some sort OF shape"
did you put those notes in your
pocket?" he broke in.
Yes" was impatient Along
with my certificates OF registration
baptism and vaccination. Whoever
wants them will have TO steal my coat
20 get them"
We'll. / would move them, IL ] were
you Somebody in the next house