The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1910-08-31
CHAPTER VI-Continued.

Then you haven't heard the rest OF
the tragedy" / asked. holding out the
case. It's frightfully bad luck for
me. but it makes a good story. You
see"
At that moment the conductor and
porter ceased their cOlloquy. The con-
ductOr came directly toward me. tug
ginG as he came at his bristling gray
muStaChe
Il would like TO talk To you in the
car" he said to me. with a curious
g.Gnce at the young lady.
Cant it waltz" | objected. I'VE
are on our way to a cup of coffee and
1 slice OF bacon. BE merciful as you
are powerful"
I'm afraid the breakfast will have
to wait" he replied. Il wont keep
you long" There was note of au,
thority in his voice which l resented;
but. after all. the circumstances were
unusual.
Well have to defer that cup OF
coffee for a while" 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. l was surprised to
see half dozen men gathered around
the berth in which l had Weakened,
number seven. 1t had not yet been
made up.
As We passed along the aisle, l was
conscious of a 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 the kindly heart
avoided my gaze. and pretended to
look out of the window.
AS we pushed our way through the
group l fancied that it closed around
me ominously. The conductor said
nothing, but led the way without cere,
mony to the side of the berth.
What's the natter" l inquired.
was puzzled, but not apprehensive.
Have you some of my things? Id be
thankful even for my shoes: these are
confoundediy tight
Nobody spoke and l 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 | think it was a perceptible
time before | realized that the stains
were blood. and that the faces around
We're 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
conductors voice came from far oil.
1T is blood" he asserted grimly.
looked around with a dizzy at
tempt at nonchalance. Even If it is.
l demonstrated. surely you don't sup
pose for a moment that l know any
thing about il!
The amateur detective elbowed his
way in. He had a scrap of transpar'
ent paper in his hand. and a pencil.
81 would like permission to trace
the stains" he began eagerly. Also
to me-"if you will kindly jab your
lnger with apin-needle-anything-'
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. l was abb
solately innocent. but I knew that ]
presented a typical picture of guilt: l
was covered with cold sweat. and the
pounding in my ears kept up dizzily.
As for you. sir
The irrepressible amateur detective
made a 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 head.
There was a chorus of voices
around. a quick surging forward of
the crowd. So that was what had
scratched my hand! I buried the
wound in my coat pocket.
Well" I 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 SO i
would come back to this BERTH This
was an inspiration: I was pleased
with il. That's what he did. he
changed the tags" l reiterated.
There was 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 for one feel sure he
did not. then who is the fellow who
got away? And why did he go?"
We have only one mans word for
that" the conductor snaried 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 eve 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"
Il am glad you think I didn't do it. -
I observed meekly. over the crowd.
Nothing else is of any importance. "
The conductor had pulled out his
notebook again. "Your name, please "
he said grufily.
Lawrence Blakeley. WsshinSto-"
Your occupation?'