Omaha daily bee., 1910-05-01

mans pocketbook in your possession, and
a few other things that were-well, rather
unpleasant"
was thrown a bit off my guard
You remember also" 1 said quickly,
that a man disappeared from the car,
taking my clothes, papers and every
thing"
81 remember that you said So" Her tone
was quietly insulting, and I bit my lip
at having been caught. 1t was no time to
make a defense.
You have missed one calculation I
said coldly land that is, the discovery of
the man who left the train"
You have found him?" She bent for
ward. and again 1 regretted my hasty
spec CHI Il knew it; said So"
1--WE are going to find him." asserted,
with confidence 1 did not feel 1--WE can
produce at any time proof that a man
left the Filler a few miles beyond the
wreck. And we can find him, 1 am posi-
tive"
''}ut you have not found him yet2' She
was clearly disappointed. well, so be it.
Now for our bargain. You will admit
that am no fool"
made no such admission, and she
smiled mockingly.
How flatterng you are!" she said.
Very we'll Now for the premises. You
take to Pittsburg four notes held by the
Mechanics National bank, to have Mr..
Gilmore. who is i'll. declare his Endorsement
of them forged.
"On tho journey back to Pittsburg two
things happen to you: you lose your cloth
ing, your valise and your papers, including
the notes, and you are accused of murder.
In fact, Mr.. Bakeley, the circumstances
were most singular, and the evidence
well, almost conclusive"
I was completely at her mercy, but I
gnawed my lip with irritation
Now for the bargain" She leaned over
and lowered her voice. "A fair exchange,
you know. The minute you put those four
notes IN my hand-that minute the blow
to my head has caused complete forgetful-
ness as to the events OF that awful morn
ing I am the only witness, and / will be
silent Do you understand? They will
call off their dogs"
My head was buzzng with the strange
ness Of the idea.
But" 1 said, striving to gain time IL
haven't the notes can't give you what
haven't got"
you have had the case continued" she
said sharply. you expect to find them
Another thing" she added slowly, watch
Ing my face, III you don't get them soon,
Bronson will have them. They have been
offered to him already, but at a prohbitive
price"
But" said, bewlldered, what is your
object I'm coming to me? If Bronson Will
get them anyhow"
She shut her fan with a click and her
face was not particularly pleasant to look
at
you are dense" she said insolenuy. IT
want those papers-for myself, not for
Andy Bronson"
Then the idea is" I said ignoring her
tone, that you think you have me I'm a
hole, and that II find those papers and
give them to you you viii let me out, As
l understand il. our friend Bronson, under
those circumstances, will also be in a
hole"
She nodded,
The notes would be or no use to YOU
for a limited length OF time" / went on,
watching her narrowly. "If they are not
turned over to the states attorney within
a reasonable time there viii have to be a
nolle pros-that is the case Will simply
ne dropped for lack OF evidence"
"A week would answer J think" she
said slowly. you VIII do H. them
/ laughed, although was not especially
cheerful.
mo. III not do IT, / expect TO come
across the notes any time now. and / eX-
pect just as certainly to turn them over
TO the states attorney when / get them"
She got Up suddenly pushing hor chair
back with a noisy grating sound that
turned many eyes toward Us.
You're more OF a fool than I thought