The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1910-12-07

You always were a fortunate devil.
| Lawrence"
Yes" assented with some bitter.
ness. Il hardly know how to contain
myself for JOY sometimes. I suppose
you know"-to Hotchkiss-"that the
ro!ice were here while We were at
Cresson. and that they found the bag
that I brought from the wreck"
Things are coming to head" he
said ,houghtfully. unless little plan
that ] have in mind" he hesitated.
Il hope so: l am pretty nearly des-
perate." said. doggeGly. 1--WE got a
mental toothache, and the sooner its
pulled the better"
Tut. tut" sadi Mcknight. "think
of the disgrace to the firm II its senior
member goes up for life. Or he
twisted his handkerchief into moose.
and went through an elaborate pan
tomime.
Although Jail isn't so bad. any
how" he finished. there are fellows
that get the habit and keep going
back and going back" He looked at
his watch. and fancled his cheerful.
ness was strained. HOtchkiss was
nervously fumbling my book.
Did you ever read the PurlOined
Letter. Mr.. Blakeley?" he inquired.
Probably. years ago." said. Poe.
ISN'T it,"
He was choked at my Indifference.
"lt is a masterpiece" he said. with
enthusiasm. Il re-read it to-day"
And what happened"
Then l inspected the rooms In the
house off Washington Circle. II
made some discoveries. Mr.. Blakeiey.
For enc thing. our man there is left
approval There was small cush-
ION on the dresser. and the scarf
pins in II had been stuck IN with the
left hand"
Somebody may have twisted the
cushion objected. but he looked
hurt and I dcsisted.
There IS only one diScre pancy." he
admitted. but Il troubles HE. Ac-
coriing 20 Mrs. Carter. 1t the FARM
house. orr man wore CANDY pajamas.
while l found here only the most Sc
varely plain night-shirts."
Any buttons on" Mcknight in
CURED. looking again At his watch.
The buttons We're there" the anna
terr detective answered sravely. but
the bnttnnhole next the top UEe WAS
torn through"
Mcknight wiHk.d n NE iuTtive!y.
Il am convinced Oi one thing"
HotchkiSs went On. clearing his
throat. the papers are not in that
room. Either he carries them with
him. or he has sold them"
4 sound on the street made both
ms visitors listen sharply. Whatever
il was Il passed N. however. was
growing curious and the restraint was
telling on Mcknight. lie has no
talent for secrecy. In the interval We
discussed the strange occurrence at
CreSson. which lost nothing by Hutch-
kiss dry narration
And So he concluded. the WON
an in the Baltimore hospital is the
wife os Henry Sullivan ana the damsh
Ter OF the man he murdered. No won
der he collapsed when he heard Of
the wreck"
Joy. probably" Mcknight put In.
is that clock right. Lawrence? Never
mind. It doesn't matter. by the way.
Mrs. Conway dropped in the Office yes
terday. while you were away"
What" | spraEs from my chair.
sure thing. Said she had heard
great things Of us. and wanted us to
LaudI. her case against the railroad"
Il would like To know what she Is
driving al" l reflected. is she try
ing ID reach me through you?'
Richey's aippancy IS often cloak
.or deeper feeling. lie dropped II
row. Yes" he said. she's after the
Notes. of course. And III tell you
felt like a poltroon-whatever that
may bc-whcn l turned her down.
She stood by the door with her face
white. ard told me contemptuously
that | could save you from a murder
charge and wouldn't DO II. She made
Inc feel Hike cur. was just as
guilty as if could have obliged her.
She hinted that there were reasons
and she laid my attitude TO beastly
motives"
Nonsense" said. Is easily as !
could. Hotchkiss had gone to the
window She was excited. There
are no 'reasons. whatever. she
means"
Richey put his hand On my shout
der. We've been tOsethe:. too long to
let any reasons or 'InreasOnS' come
between us. old man." he said. not
very steadily.
Hotchkiss. who had been silent.
here came forward in his most i'm
pressive manner. He put his hands
under his Coat-tails and cOughed.
Mr. Biakeley." he began. by Mr..
NcKnight's advice We have arranged
little interview here tonight. II
all has gone as planned. Mr.. Henry
Pinckney Sullivan is by this time un-
der arrest. Within a very few min
utes-he will be here.