davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-05-14
CHAPTER w.
Numhsrs Seven and Nln.-
% f1AN NbfRIc RnETfART

Numbers Seven and Nine.
Aftervard, when tried to recall our
siscoyery OF the body IN lower ten, I
sound that my most vivid impression
vas not that made by the revelation
% the opened curtain. I had an in
Simultaneous picture Of a slender blue
Eowned girl who seemed 20 sense my
words rather than hear them. OF two
small hands that clutched desperately
at the seat beside them. The girl In
The aisle stood. bent toward US. per
pioIity and alarm fighting in her face
With twitching hands the porter at
tempted % draw the curtains togeth-
Or. Then in paralysis OF shock. be
collapsed on the edge OF my berth and
sRt there swaying. In my excitement
I shook him.
For heavens sake. keep your
nerve, man" said bruskly. You'll
have every woman IN the car IN hys-
teries. And If you do. you'll wish
you could change places with the man
IN there" He rolled his eyes.
A man near. who had been read
mg last nights paper. dropped Il
quickly and tiptoed toward us he
peered between the partly open cur
tains. closed them quietly and went
back, ostentatiously solemn. 20 his
seat The very crackle with which he
opened HIS paper added 20 the burst
inE curiosity OF the car. For the PAS
seDgers knew that something was
Rmiss: I was conscious Of a sudden
tension
With the curtains closed the por-
ter was more himself. ne wiped his
lips with a handkerchief and stood
erect
It's my last trip IN this car" ne re-
marked heavily There's something
wrong with that berth Last trim the
woman IN Il took an overdose OF some
sleeping stun, and We found her. jes'
Ike that dead, And it amt more'n
three months now since there was
twins born in that very spot. No SIR
~ amt natural"
At that moment thin man with
prominent eyes and a spare grayIsh
Gostee creaked Up the aisle and
paused beside me
Porter sick?" he inquired. taking IN
with a professional eve the porter's
horrorstruck face. my own excite
nent and the slightly gaping curtains
OF lower ten. He reached FOR the
sArky's pulse and pulled out an old
fashioned gold watch
HIN, Only hfty, What's the mat
ter Had a shock?" he asked
shrswdly.
Yes" ! answered for the porter.
We've both had one. n you are a
doctor. I wish you would look az the
man In the berth across. lower ten.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-05-14
CHAPTER VII.

a Fine Gold Chain.
The conductor held Il out 20 me. his
face sternly accusing.
rs this another coincidence" he
asked. Did the man who left YOU
his clothes and the barred silk hand
kerchief and the tight shoes leave you
the spoil OF the MURDER"
The men standing around had
drawn on a little. and saw the alb
soiute futility OF any remembrance.
Have you ever seen a fly. who, in
these hygienic days. finding no cob
webs to entangie him. is caught in
sheet OF ny paper. finds himself more
and more mired. and Is finally quiet
with the sticky stiffness OF despair
Wei, was the ny. had seen too
much OF circumstantial evidence TO
have any belief that the establishing
or my identity would weigh much
against the other nominating de-
tails. II meant imprisonment and
trial. probably. with all the notoriety
and loss OF practice they would en-
tail. A man thinks quickly at a time
like that All the probable conse-
quences OF the finding OF that pocket
book Mashed through my mind as ex-
tended my hand to take It Then
drew my arm back
Il don't want it." said. Look in
side. Maybe the other man took the
money and left the wallet"
The conductor opened II, and again
there was a curious surging forward
OF the crowd. To my intense disap-
pointment the money was still there.
stood blankly miserable while It
was counted out-fiVe 800 bills, six
twenties and some flves and ones that
brought the total to $3.50
The little man with the note book
insisted on taking the numbers OF the
notes. to the conductors annoyance.
Il was immaterial to me: Small things
had lost their power 20 irritate. / was
seeing myself In the prisoners box.
going through all the nervs-racklng
roetiue of trial for murder-the chAl-
longing of the jury. the endless cross
examinations. the alternate hope and
fear. believe I said before that I
had no nerves. but for a few minutes
that morning I was as near as a man
ever comes to hysteria.
folded my arms and gave myself
= mental shake. I seemed to be the
center of a hundred eyes. expressing
every shade of doubt and distrust, but
tried not 90 finch. Then some one
created a diversion.
The amateur detective was busy
again with the sealskin bag, invesi-
eating the, make OF the safety razor
and the manufacturers name on the
bronze-green tie. Now, however, he
paused and frowned. as though some
pet theory had been upset
Then from a corner Of the bag he
drew out and held up for our inspec-
tion some three inches OF fine gold
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-05-14

gested. without enthusiasm. But the
young woman shook her head.
she is not hungry" she objected.
and she Is. very-well. 1 know she
wouldn't come. Do you suppose we
could make it II we rum"
Il haven't any idea" l said cheer
fully. ANY old train would be better
than this one, If it does leave US be-
hind"
Yes. Any train would be better
than this one" she repeated gravely.
I found myself watching her changing
expression. / had spoken two dozen
words 20 her and already I felt that
1 knew the lights and shades in her
voice.. who had always known how
a woman rode TO hounds, and who
never could have told the color OF
her hair
stepped down on the ties and
turned 10 assist her. and together we
walked back to where the conductor
and the porter from our car were In
close conversation. Instinctlvely my
hand went TO my cigarette pocket and
came out empty. She saw the ges-
ture
IF you want to smoke. you may"
she said. Il have a big cousin who
smokes all the time. He says I am
kippered."
drew out the gun-metal cigarette
case and opened t. But this most
commonplace action had an extraor-
dinary result: The girl beside me
stopped dead still and stood staring
at Il with fascinated eyes.
'Ts-where did you get that?" she
demanded, with a eaten in her voice;
her gaze still fixed on the cigarette
case
Then you haven't heard the rest Of
the tragedy" I asked. holding out the
case. It's frightfully bad luck for
me. but IL makes a good story. You
see"
At that moment the conductor and
porter ceased their colloQuy. The con
ductor came directly toward me. tug
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-05-14

tanned one empty leather-covered flask
and pint bottle. also empty. a change
OF linen and some collars with the
laundry mark, S. II. IN the leather
tag on the handle was a card with the
name Simon Harrington, Pittsburg.
The conductor sat down on my I'M
made berth, across. and made an en-
try OF the name and address. Then,
on an old envelope. he wrote a few
words and gave IL 20 the porter, who
disappeared.
Il guess that's all I can do" he
said i've had enough trouble this
trip % last for a year They don't
need a conductor on these trains any
more. what they ought 20 have is a
sheriff and a posse"
The porter from the next car came
IN and whispered 10 him. The con
ductor rose unhappily.
Next cars caught the disease" he
grumbled. Doctor, a woman back
there has got mumps or bubonic
plague. or something. Win you come
back?"
The strange porter stood aside.
Lady about the middle OF the car"
he said. "in black SIR. with Queerlooll-
ing hair-sort Of copper color. I think.
sir"
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-05-14

chain. one end OF which was BLACK
ened and stained with blood
The conductor held out his hand for
IT, but the little man was not ready
to give it up. He turned to me.
You say no watch was left your
Was there a piece OF chain like that7"
mo chain at ALL said sulkily No
iewelry OF any kind. except plain gold
buttons in the shirt I am wearing"
Where are your giasses7" he
threw at me suddenly; instinctively
my hand went 70 my eyes. My glasses
had been gone all morning. and had
not even noticed their absence. The
little man smiled cynically and held
out the chain.
II must ask you TO examine this
be insisted. Isn't Il part OF the fine
gold chain you wear over your carp
l didn't want 70 touch the thing:
The stain at the end made me shud-
der. But with a bakers dozen OF sus-
picious eyes-well. well say 14-there
were no one-eyed men-I took the
fragment in the tips OF my fingers and
looked at it helplessly.
Very fine chains are much alike"
I managed 20 say. For all know,
this may be mine. but don't know
how II got into that sealskin bag.
never saw the bag until this morning
after daylight"
He admits that he had the bag"
somebody said behind me How aid
you guess that he wore glasses. any
how2" 20 the amateur sleuth
That gentleman cleared his throat
There were two reasons" he said.
FOR suspecting e. When you see a
man with the lines OF his face droop-
ing. a healthy individual with a pen
sive eye-suspect astigmatism Be
sides. this gentleman has pro
nounced line across the bridge OF his
nose and mark on his ear from the
chain"
After this remarkable exhibition OF
the theoretical as combined with the
practical. he sank snto a seat near by.
and still holding the chain. sat with
closed eyes and pursed lips. Il was
evident 70 all the car that the solution
OF the mystery was a question OF mo-
ments. once he bent forward eagerly
and putting the chain on the window
sill. proceeded 20 go over Il with a
pocket magnifying glass. only 10
shake his head In disappointment. All
the people around shook their heaSs.
too. although they had not the slight
est idea what IL was about.
The pounding In my ears began
again. The group around me seemed
20 be suddenly motionless in the perry
act OF moving. as II a hypnotist had
called Rigid" The girl in blue was
looking at me. and above the din I
thought she said she must speak TO
something vital. The pounding
grew louder and merged into a scream.
With a grinding and splintering the
car rose under my feet. Then Il fon
away into darkness.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-05-14

I'm afraid it's too late. but I'm not ex.
perienced In such matters"
Together we opened the curtains
AMI the doctor, bending down, gave a
comprehensive glance that took IN the
rolling head. the relaxed Jaw. the ugly
stain on the sheet The examination
nsedec only q moment Death was
written in the clear white OF the nos
trils. the cOlorless lips, the smooth
ing away OF the sinister lines OF the
night before. With its new dignity
the face was not unhandsome; the
gray hair was still plentiful. the feat
uraa strong and well cut.
The doctor Strengthened himself and
turned to me. Dead for some time"
he said, running professional finger
over the stains. These are dry and
daykened. you see. and rigor mortis
ts well established. A friend OF
yours2"
Il don't know him az all" replied
Never saw him but once before"
Then you don't know II he Is trav>
cling alone?"
mo, he was not-thAt Is. don't
know anything about him." correct
ed myself. It was my first blunder;
the doctor glanced Nd at me quickly
and then turned his attention again 70
the body. Like f1Ash there had come
90 me the vision Of the woman with
the bronze hair and the tragic face.
whom I had surprised In the vesti-
bule between the cars, somewhere In
the small hours OF the morning. I had
acted on my first impulse-the mascu-
Tine one OF shielding a woman.
The doctor had unfastened the coat
OF the striped pajamas and exposed
the dead mans chest. On the LETT
side was a small punctuTed wound of
tnsignihcant size.
VERY neatly done" the doctor said
with appreciation. Couldn't have
done II better myself. Right through
ths fntercostal space; no time even
90 grunt"
isn't the heart around there some
vhsref" 7 asked. The medical man
surned toward me and smiled an
stsrely.
That's where II belongs, jast under
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-05-14
CHAPTER VII.
The Second Section.

The Second Section.
Have you ever been picked up out
or your three-meals-a-day life, whirled
around In a tornado OF events, and
landed In a situation so grotesque and
yet so horrible that you laugh even
while you are grooming. and straining
at its hOpelessness? Mcknight says
that Is hysteria. and that no man
worthy OF the name ever admits 10 It
Also, as Mcknight says. It sounds
like tank drama. Just as the revolv-
Ing saw is about to cut the hero into
stove lengths. the second villain blows
up the sawmin The hero goes up
through the roof and alights on the
bank OF q stream at the feet OF his
lady love, who is making daisy chains.
Nevertheless. when was safely
home again. with Mrs. Klopton brew
Ing strange drinks that came in paper
packets from the pharmacy. and that
smelled 20 heaven, ] remember stag
gering TO the door and closing II, and
then going back to bed and bowling
out the absurdity and the madness OF
the whole thing. And while laughed
my very soul was sick. for the gin
was gone by that time. and I knew by
all the loyalty that answers between
men for honor that / would have to
put her out of my mind.
And yet, all the night that followed,
filled as It was with the shrieking de-
mons OF pain, saw her as had seen
heE last, In the queer hat with green
ribbons. told the doctor this, guard
edly. the next morning, and he said Il
was the morphia, and that was lucky
not to have seen a row of devils with
green tails.
don't know anything about the
wreck OF September last. You who
swallowed the details with your coffee
and digested the horrors with your
chop, probably know a great deal more
than do. I remember very distinctly
That the jumping and throbbing in my
arm brought me back TO a world that
at first was nothing but sky. a heap OF
clouds that ] thought hazily were the
meringue on a blue charlotte russo.
As the sense OF hearing was slowly
added TO vision, heard a woman near
me sobbing that she had lost her hat
pin, and she couldn't keep her hat on
/ think ] dropped back into uncon-
seriousness again, for the next thing
1 remember was OF my blue patch OF
sky clouded with smoke. OF a strange,
roaring and cracking. OF a rain of
fiery sparks in my face aud OF some
body beating at me with feeble hands.
opened my eyes and closed them
again: The girl in blue was bending
oyer me. With that imperviousness
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-05-14

berth. and made an exchange In some
way after the crime. How do you
know he didn't change the tags so ]
would come back 20 this berth?" This
was an inspiration; I was pleased
with Il. That's what he did, he
changed the tags" I reiterated.
There was a murmur OF assent
around. The doctor. who was stand
ing beside me. put his hand on my
arm. IF 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 go7''
1--WE 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 be would travel
by daylight. I glanced up and caught
the eye OF the girl in blue
They are sll mad" she said. Her
tone was low. but I heard her distinct
ly. Don't take them seriously enough
20 defend yourself"
Il am glad you think didn't do Il. ="
observed meekly, over the crowd.
Nothing else is OF any Importance"
The conductor had pulled out his
notebook again. Your name, please, %
he said grufiy.
Lawrence Blakeley, Washington"
Your occupation"
Attorney. A member OF the firm
OF Blakeley & Mcknight"
MI Blakeley. you say you have
been robbed. Do you know anything
Of the man who did ftp
"Only from what he left behind"
answered. These clothes"
They At YOU" he said with quick
suspicion. isn't that rather a coinci-
dence7 You are a large man"
Good heavens" retorted. stung 20
fury. do look like a man who would
wear this kind OF a necktie? Do you
suppose carry purple and green
barred silk handkerchiefs? Would any
man In his senses wear a pair OF
shoes a FUN size too small7"
The conductor was inclined 70
hedge. you wiz have TO grant that
I am in a peculiar position" he said
Il have only your word as 20 the ex-
change OF berths. and you understand
I am merely doing my duty. Are there
any clews in the pockets"
For the second time I emptied them
OF their contents. which he noted lis
that ALP" he finished. There was
nothing else2"
Nothing"
That's not all sir" broke in the
porter, stepping forward. There was
a small black satchel."
That's So" I exclaimed. Il forgot
the bag. don'- even know where il
IS"
The easily swayed crowd looked sus-
picious again. I've grown so accus-
toned 90 reading the faces or a fury.
seeing them swing from doubt TO be-
lief. and back again 20 doubt. that I
instinctively watch expressions. 7 saw
that my forgetfulness had done me
harm-that suspicion was reused
again.
The bag was found a couple OF seats
away. under somebody's raincoat-an-
other dubious circumstance Was I
hiding 80? II was brought 20 the berth
and placed beside the conductor. who
opened Il az once.
u contained the usual travelling i'm
pedimenta-chRnge OF linen. collars.
handkerchiefs, bronze-green scarf.
and a safety razor. But the attention
OF the crowd riveted itself on a fat.
Russia leather wallet, around which
a heavy gum band was wrapped. and
which bore In gilt letters the name
Simon Harrington"
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-05-14


mustache
I would like TO talk to you in the
car" he said TO me. with curious
glance at the young lady.
Cant a waltz" I objected. I'VE
are on our way 20 a cup OF coffee and
a slice OF bacon. BE merciful as you
are powerful"
I'm afraid the breakfast will have
TO wait" he replied. Il won't keep
you long" There was a note OF au-
thority IN his voice which I resented;
but. after all. the circumstances were
unusual
Wen have to defer that cup OF
coffee for a while" said 70 the girl:
but don't despair; there's breakfast
somewhere"
AS we entered the car. she stood
aside. but I felt rather than saw that
she followed us. I was surprised TO
see a half dozen men gathered around
the berth in which had Weakened.
number seven. IL had not yet been
made up
AS we passed along the aisle. I was
conscious OF a new expression on the
faces of the passengers. The tall wom-
an who had tainted was searching my
face with narrowed eyes, while the
stout woman OF the kindly heart
avoided my gaze. and pretended 10
look out OF the window.
As we pushed our way through the
group. fancied that It closed around
me ominously. The conductor said
nothing. but led the way without cere-
mony 20 the side OF the berth.
What's the natter" I inquired.
was puzzled but not apprehensive.
Have you some OF my things? I'd be
thankful even for my shoes; these are
confoundedly tight"
Nobody spoke, and fell silent. too.
For one OF the pillows had been turned
over, and the under side OF the white
case was streaked with brownish
stains. I think Il was a perceptible
time before ! 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 my ears. and the
1T IS blood" he asserted grimly.
looked around with a dizzy at
tempt at nonchalance. Even II 1t is"
I demonstrated. surely you don't sup
pose for a moment that I know any
thing about IT."
The amateur detective elbowed his
way IN. He had a scrap OF transpar-
ent paper IN his hand, and a pencil.
II would like permission TO trace
the stains" he began eagerly. Also"
to me-"if you viii kindly lab your
finger with -needle-anything
'H 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 abb
sOlutely innocent, but l knew that
presented a 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 a narrow
steel dirk which had been buried to
the small cross that served as a head.
There was a 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 l have
been telling you? The man who com
mitted the murder belonged to this
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-05-14

Either robbery was not the mo
tive" he reflected. "or the thief over
looked these thing in his hurry"
The latter Hypothesis seemed the
more tenable. when. after a thorough
search, We found no pocketbook and
less than a dollar In small change.
The suitcase gave no clew. Il con-
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-05-14

The girl went out TO the platform
when she saw me she moved aside.
and stepped out beside her. Behind
us the track curved sharply; the early
sunshine threw the train. in long black
shadow, over the hot earth. Forward
somewhere they were hammering-
The girl said nothing, but her profile
was strained and anxious.
'T-if you have lost anything"
began. Il wish you would let me try to
help. Not that my own success Is any
thing to boast Of"
She hardly glanced at me. II was
not nattering
Il have not been robbed. If that Is
what you mean" she replied quietly.
II Am-perplexed That is all"
There was nothing to say TO that.
/ lifted my hat-the other fellows
hat-and turned to go back to my car.
Two or three members OF the train
crew. including the conductor, were
standing in the shadow talking And
at that moment, from a farmhouse
near came the swift clang OF the
breakfast bell. calling in the hands
from barn and pasture. turned back
10 the girl
I'VE may be here for an hour" l
said. "snd there is no buffet car on.
II / remember my youth, that bell
means ham and eggs and country but
ter and coffee. If you care to run
the risk"
Il am not hungry" she said, but
perhaps a cup of coffee-dear me. 1
believe / am hungry" she finished.
"Only-" She glanced back OF her.
Il can bring your companion" ] sug-
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-05-14
CHAPTER vi.
The Girl in Blue.


was growing more and more r.
ritable The thought OF what the
loss Of the notes meant was fast
crowding the murder to the back OF
my mind. The forced inaction was
intolerable The porter had reported
no bag answering the description Of
mine on the train, but I was disposed
20 make my own investigation. I made
q tour of the cars, scrutinizing every
variety OF hand luggage. ranging from
luxurious English bags with gold
mountings 20 the wicker nondescript
Of the day coach at the rear. was
not alone in nay quest. for the girl IN
blue was Just ahead OF me. Car By
car she preceded me through the train,
unconscious that / was behind her.
looking at each passenger as she
passed. I fancied the proceeding was
distasteful. but that she had determin-
cd on a course and was carrying IL
through We reached the end OF the
train almost together-empty-hAnded.
both OF us.