Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1910-06-09

apection at the time OF the wreck. You
Ssmember, don't you? Where did
put that packageT
He found 1t finally and opened it on
q table, displaying with some theatric-
alism a rectangular piece of muslin
and a similar patch of striped tick
ing.
you recognize it," he said. 1.-THE
stains, you see, and the hole made by
the dirk. I tried to bring away the
entire pillow, but they thought l was
stealing 1t, and made rue give it up"
Richey touched the pieces gingerly.
"By George" he said, land you carry
that around in your pocket! What If
you should mistake it for your hand
kerchief?"
But Mr.. Hotchkiss was not listen
ing. He stood bent somewhat for
ward, leaning over the table, and fixed
me with his ferret-like eyes.
Have you seen the evening papers,
Mr.. Blakeley?" he inquired.
/ glanced to where they lay I'M
opened, and shook my head
"Then | have a disagreeable task"
he said with evident relish. "Of
course, you had considered the matter
Of the man Harrington's death closed,
after the wreck. did myself. As far
as l was concerned, l meant to let II
remain SO. There were no other sur
Vivors, at least none that knew OF.
and in spite Of circumstances, there
we're a number of points in your IA
Nor.
II verified your identity, for in
stance, as soon as / recovered from
the shock. Aso-I found on inquiring
OF your tailor that you invariably wore
dark clothing"
Mcknight came forward threatening
1y. who are you, anyhow he de-
manded. "And how is this any bust
ness Of yours?" Mr.. Hotchkiss was
entirely unruffled.
II have a minor position here" he
said, reaching for visiting card. Il
am a very small patch on the seat OF
government, sir"
mubIClCu oOLuCbhlh6 obONS
certain offensive designs against the
said patch and retired grumbling to
the window. Our visitor was opening
the paper with a tremendous expendi'
ture Of energy. >.H
Here It is. Listen" He read rap
IDLY aloud:
The Pittsburg police have sent to
Baltimore two detectives who are
hooking up the survivors Of the Ill
fated Washington Filler. 1t has trans
PRED that Simon Harrington, the
Wood street merchant of that city,
was not killed in the wreck, but was
murdered in his berth the night pre-
ceding the accident. Shortly before
the collision, John Flanders, the con-
ductor Of the Filler, sent this telegram
to the chief of police:
BODY of Simon Harrington found
stabbed in his berth, lower ten, On
tario, at $50 this morning.
"JOHN FLANDERS, Conductor
1T is hoped that the survivors Of
the wrecked car Ontario will be found,
to tell what they know of the discov.
cry Of the crime
"Mr. John Gilmore, head of the
steel company for which Mr.. Harring.
ton was purchasing agent has signified
his intention of sitting the matter to
the bottom"
$50 you see," Hotchkiss concluded.
there's trouble brewing. You and I
are the only survivors Of that unfor-
tunate car"
did not contradict him, but knew
Of two others, at least: Alison West,
and the woman we had left beside the
road that morning, babbling incoher-
entity, her black hair tumbling over
her white face
Unless we can find the man who
occupied lower SEVEN" l suggested.
II have already tried and failed. To
hnd him would not clear you, OF
course, unless we could establish some
connection between him and the muir.
dered man. 1t is the only thing
see, however. have learned this
much" Hotchkiss concluded Lower
seven was reserved from Cresson."
Cresson! Where Alison West and
Mrs. Curtis had taken the train!
Mcknight came forward and sud
denly held out his hand. NM. Hotch
kiss" he said, "I-Im sorry II have
been offensive. l thought when you
came in, that, like the Irishman and
the government, you were 'forninst
Us. II you will put those cheerful
relics out of sight somewhere, should
be glad to have you dine with me al
the Incubator" (His name for hil
bachelor aPartment.) Compared with
Johnson, you are the great origina
protoplasm."
The strength of this was lost or
Hotchkiss, but the invitation wal
clear. They went out together, ant
from my window / watched them ge
into Meningitis car. 1t was raining
and at the corner the Cannonbal
slidded. Across the street my detect
I've, Johnson, looked after them will
his crooked smile. As he turned VI
his collar he saw me, and lifted hi
hat.
left the window and sat down il