The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1910-11-09
CHAPTER XXI.
Mckniuht's Theory.


! confess | was staggered. The
people at the surrounding tables a'e'
CHANGING curiously in my direction
looked away again.
got my hat and went out IN very
uncomfortable frame of mind. 1ha'
she would inform the police at once
of what she knew ! never doubted. TN
less possibly she would give day Oh
two's grace in the hope that l would
change my mind.
reviewed the situation as l waited
for a car. Two passed ne gong III
the opposite direction and on the hrs'
ore 1 saw Bronson, his hat over MS
eyes. his arms folded. looking moodiiS
ahead. Was il imagination? or was
the small man huddled iii the corner
of the rear seat Hotchkiss"
As the car rolled on | found myself
smiling. The alert little man was foI
all the world like d terrier. ever on the
scent. and securing about in every dl
r"cti0n.
found Mcknight at the Incubator
with his coat of. working with enthu
siasm and a manicure file over the
horn of his auto.
It's the worst horn | ever ran
across" he groaned. without looking
ND. rs came in. The blanketE'
blank thing won't blow.
lie punched it savagely. finally clio
itiug a faint throaty Crnak-
Sounds like Group" suggested
NV sisterin-law uses camphor and
goose grease for it; or how about a
spice poultice?
Bat Mcknight never sees any jokes
hut his own. He flung the horn clat-
tcring into corner and collapsed
sulkiIy into a chair
Nov" ! said, IF you're through
nanicuring that horn. I'll tell YOU
about MY talk with the lady in black.
WHATS wrorg?" asked Mcknight,
laDguidlv. Police watching her. too?''
Not czactly The fact is. Rich.
there's The mischief Ia pay.
Stogie came in. bringing few addi-
lions 10 our comfort. When he went
out told my story
You must remember" | said. that
I had scen this woman before the
morning Of the wreck. She was buy
ing her Pullman ticket when l did.
Then the next morning, when the muir
der WAS discovered. she grew hySter-
zeal and gave her some whisky. The
third and last time | saw her. until
Oh
side the road. after the wreck.
Mcknight slid down in his chair I'M
ill his weight rested on the small Of
his back and put his feet on the big
reading table
IFS rather n facer." he said. ITS
really too good situation for COM
monrlace lawyer. 1t ought TO be
dramatized. You can't agree. of
course: and by refusing You run the
chance of Jail. al least. and of having
Alison brought into publicity. which is
out of the question. You say she was
at the Pullman window when you
were?"
Yes: bought her ticket for her
Gave her lower eleven
And you took ten"
Lower ten.
Mcknight Strengthened up and
looked at me.
Then she thought you were in
over ten"
Il suppose she did. if she thought
nj all"
"Hu; listen. man" Mcknight was
growing excited. What do you figure
ont of thiso The Conway woman
knows you have taken the notes to
pittsburg. The probabilities are that
she follows you there. on the chance
Of an opportunity to get them. either
for Bronson or herself.
Nothing doing during the trip over
or during the day in Pittsburg; but
She learns the number of your berth
5 you buy it at the Pullman ticket
Jfice in PittsbuTg and she thinks she
sees her chance. No one could have
forssaen that that drunken fellow
would have crawled into your berth
Now. ] figure il ont this way: She
wanted those notes desperately-doe
still-not for Bronson. but to hold over
his head for some purpose. In the
night. when everything is quiet. she
slips behind the curtains of lower ten.
where the mans breathing shows he
Is asleep. Didn't you say he snored?
He did" / affirmed. But l tell
you"
Now keep still and listen. She
gropes cautiously around in the dark
ness. finally discovering the wallet I'M
der the pillow. Can't you see it your
self"
he vas leaning forward. excitedly.
and / could almost see the grewsome
tragedy he was depicting.
She draws out the wallet. Then.
perhaps she remembers the alligator