Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-02-12

to w3it, no f0pue0. Won Aoop
you long" There was note Of au-
thority in his voice which resented;
but after all. the circumstances were
unusual.
"We'n have to defer that cup Of
coffee for a while,"I said to the girl;
but don't despair: there's breakfast
somewhere"
AS we entered the car, she stood
aside, but l felt rather than saw that
she followed US. was surprised to
see half dozen men gathered around
the berth in which I had Weakened,
number seven 1t had not yet been
made up.
AS we passed along the aisle, was
conscious Of new expression on the
faces OF the passengers. The tall won.
an who had tainted was searching my
face with narrowed eyes, while the
stout woman of tho kindly heart
avoided my gaze, and pretended to
look out of the window.
AS we pushed our way through the
group. l fancied that 1t closed around
me ominously. The conductor said
nothing, but led the way without cere-
mony to the side Of the berth
whats the matter?" inquired.
was puzzled, but not apprehensive.
"Iave you some Of my things? I'D DO
thankful even for my shoes; these are
confoundedly tight"
Nobody spoke, ard fell silent, too.
For one of the pillows had been tt ned
over, and the under side of the white
case was streaked with brownish
stains. l think it was a perceptible
time before I realized that the stains
were blood, and that the faces around
were filled with suspicion and dis
trust.
"Why, it-that looks like blood" !
said vacuously. There was an inces-
SAINT pounding in 1ny ears, and the
conductors voice came from far off.
1T is blood" he asserted grimly.
l looked around with dizzy at
tempt at nonchalance. Even If it is,
/ demonstrated, surely you don't sup
pose for moment that ] know any
thing about it,
The amateur detective elbowed his
way in. He had scrap of transpar'
ent paper in his hand, and pencil.
II would like permission to trace
the stains," he began eagerly. ALSO"
to me-ff you will kindly jab your
finger with Observation-Disclosures"
IF you don't keep out of this" the
conductor said savagely, Il will do
some jabbing myself. AS for you.
| sir he turned to me. was alb
lsolutely innocent, but / knew that /
presented typical picture of guilt; !
was covered with cold sweat, and the
pounding in my ears kept up dizzily.
"As for you. sir
| The irrepressible amateur detective
made quick pounce at the pillow and
pushed back the cover. Before our In
credulous eyes he drew out narrow
steel dirk which had been buried to
the small cross that served as a head.
| There was chorus OF voices
around, a quick surging forward OF
the crowd. So that was what had
scratched my hand! buried the
wound in my coat pocket.
Well" said, trying to speak natur-
ally, doesn't that prove what have
been telling you? The man who COM
mitted the murder belonged to this
berth, and made an exchange in some
way after the crime. How do you
know he didn't change the tags 80
would come back to this berth?" This
was an inspiration; was pleased
with it. That's what he did, he
changed the tags" reiterated.
There was murmur OF assent
around. The doctor. who was stand
ing beside me, put his hand on my
arm. eff this gentleman committed
this crime, and I for one feel sure he
did not, then who is the fellow who
got away? And why did he go?"
eve have only one mans word for
that" the conductor snarled. I've trav-
eled some in these cars myself, and
no one ever changed berths with me-"
Somebody on the edge Of the group
asserted that hereafter he would travel
by daylight glanced up and caught
the eye of the girl in blue.
"They are all mad" she said. Her
tone was low, but heard her distinct
ly. "Don't take them seriously enough
to defend yourself"
81 am glad you think didn't do 1t, !"
! OUSSIVSU mSOhAys OVOA SAS SAO"N'
/ Nothing else is of any Importance"
The conductor had pulled out his
notebook again. "Your name, please"
he said grufiy.
Lawrence 2!ske!ey, Washington"
"Your occupation?"
| Attorney. A member Of the firm
Of Blakeley & Mcknight"
"Mr. Blakeley, you say you have
occupied the wrong berth and have
been robbed. Do you know anything
Of the man who did it,"
"Only from what he left behind" l
answered. These clothes"
"They 1T you.' he said with quick
suspicion. isn't that rather coinci-
dence? You are large man."
Good heavens" retorted. stung to
fury, do look like man who would
wear this kind Of a necktie? Do you
suppose II carry purple and green
barred silk handkerchiefs? Would any
man in his senses wear pair Of
lshoes full size too small?"
The conductor was inclined to
hedge you will have to grant that
II am in peculiar position" he said.
81 have only your word ~ to the ex-
lchange OF berths, and you understand
III am merely doing nv duty Are there