Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1910-06-01

she replied, looking up at me. L am
the unconscious cause of most of it,
l am afraid. Mrs. Dallas is going to
wait in the outer Office"
1 presented Hotchkiss and the two
detectives, who eyed her with inter
est. In her poise, her beauty, even in
her gown, 1 fancy she represented a
new type to them. They remained
standing until she sat down.
Il have brought the necklace" she
began, holding out white-wrapped
box, ''as you asked me to-"
I passed it, unopened, to the detec-
tives. 'The necklace from which was
broken the fragment you found in the
sealskin Bag" 1 explained. Miss
West found it on the floor of the car,
near lower ten"
when did you find it?" asked the
lean detective, bending forward.
I'm the morning, not long before the,
wreck"
did you ever see it before?"
II am not certain" she replied. 81
have seen one very much like it, Her
tone was troubled. She glanced at me
as If for help, but l was powerless.
"Where?" The detective was watch
ing her closely.
At that moment there came an in
terruption. The door opened without
ceremony, and Johnson ushered in a
tall, blonde man, a stranger to all of
us. glanced at Alison; she was pale
but composed and scornfuI She met
the newcomers eyes full, and, caught
unawares, he took a hasty backward
step.
'Sit down, Mr.. Sullivan" Mcknight
beamed cordially. "Have a cigar? /
beg your pardon, Alison, do you mind
this smoker"
mot at ALL" she said composedly.
Sullivan had had second to sound
his bearings.
Mono, thanks" he mumbled eff
you will be good enough to explain"
'But that's what you're to do" Nc
Knight said cheerfully, pulling up a
chair. you've got the most attentive
audience you could ask. These two
gentlemen are detectives from Pitts
burg, and we are all curious to know
the finer details of what happened on
the car Ontario two weeks ago, the
night your father-in-law was MUIR
dered." Sullivan gripped the arms of
his chair. 1--WE are not prejudiced,
either. The gentlemen from Pitts
burg are betting on Mr. Blakeley, over
there. Mr.. Hotchkiss, the gentleman
by the radiator, is ready to place ten
to one odds on you. And some of us
have still other theories"
Gentlemen" Sullivan said slowly,
Il give you my word of honor that L
did not kill Simon Harrington, and
that do not know who did"
"Fiddlededee!" cried Hotchkiss,
bustling forward. why, l can tell
you But Mcknight pushed him
firmly into a chair and held him there.
81 am ready to plead guilty to the
larceny" Sullivan went on. 81 took
Mr.. Blakeley's clothes, l admit If |
can reimburse him in any way for the
inconvenience"
The stout detective was listening
with his mouth open. "Do you mean
to say" he demanded, that you got
into Mr.. Blakeley's berth, as he con-
tends, took his clothes and forged
notes, and left the train before the
wreck?"
Yes"
''The notes, them"
Il gave them to Bronson yesterday.
Much good they did him." bitterly.
We were all silent for a moment. The
two detectives were adjusting them
selves with difficulty to new point of
view. Sullivan was looking detected
ly at the floor, his hands hanging
loose between his knees. 1 was watch
ing Alison, from where 1 stood, be-
hind her, I could almost touch the
soft hair behind her ear.
Il have no intention of pressing any
charge against you," said with forced
civility, for my hands were itching to
get at him, "if you will give us clear
account of what happened on the On
tario that night"
Sullivan raised his handsome, hag-
gard head and looked around at me.
I've seen you before, haven't I?' he
asked. Weren't you an unlimited
SuCoC at InS Ldu1 q low OcJ VI
nights-ago? The cat, you remember,
and the rug that slipped?"
81 remember" 1 said shortly. He
glanced from me to Alison and quick
ly away.
"The truth can't hurt me-" he said,
"but it's devilish unpleasant. Alison,
you know all this. You would better
go out"
His use Of her name crazed me.
stepped in front of her and stood over
him. "You will not bring Miss West
into the conversation" 1 threatened,
land she will stay if she wishes"
ooh, very WE'LL" he said with as
sumed Indifference.
Hotchkiss just then escaped from
Richey's grasp and crossed the room.
did you ever wear glasses?" he
asked eagerly.