The Huttig news., 1910-04-02
CHAPTER l.
L Go to Pittsburo.

 the criminal end of the business. l never liked it, and since the strange case of the man in lower ten, have been a bit squeamish. Given case like that, where you can build up network of clews that absolutely in criminate three entirely different peo- pie, only one of whom can be guilty, and your faith in circumstantial evi- dense dies of overcrowding. l never see shivering, white-faced wretch in the prisoners dock that do not hark back with shuddering horror to the strange events on the Pullman ear Ontario, between Washington and Pittsburg, on the night of September 3, last.
 Mcknight could tell the story a great deal better than l, although he cannot spell three consecutive words correctly. But, while he has imagi- nation and humor, he is lazy
 "It didn't happen to mo. anyhow. :" he protested, when l put it up to him. And nobody cares for secondhand thrills. Besides, you want the un- varnished and ungarnished truth, and I'm no hand for that I'm lawyer. '
 So am I, although there have been particular has been disputed. l am unmarried and just old enough to dance with the grown-up little sisters of the girls used to know. l am fond of outdoors, prefer horses to the afore- said grown-up little sisters. and with out sentiment cam. crossed ont and was" substituted.-Ed.l and com plctely ruled and frequently routed by my housekeeper. an elderly widow.
 Tn fact, Of all the men of my ac qnaintance, l was probably the most prosaic, the least adventurous, the one man in a hundred who would be likely to go without deviation from the normal through the orderly pro cession of the seasons. summer suits to winter f1annels. golf to bridge.
 So it was queer freak of the de- mons of chance to perch on my un- susceptible 30-year-old chest, tie me up with a crime, ticket me with a
 
 sational and not always respectable journey that ended so surprisingly less than three weeks later in the firm S private office. It had been the most remarkable period of my life. I would neither give it up nor live it again under any inducement, and yet all that lost was some 20 yards off my drive!
 It was really McKnight's turn to make the next journey. l had a tournament at Chevy Chase for Satur- day. and a short yacht cruise planned for Sunday, and when man has been grinding at statute law for week he needs relaxation. But Mcknight begged off It was not the first time he had shirked that summer in order to run down to Richmond, and I was surly about it. But this time he had a new excuse.
 T wouldn't be able to look after the business if I did go,' he said He has a sort of wide-eyed frankness that makes one ashamed to doubt him. I'm always car sick crossing the mountains. It's a fact, Lollie. See saving over the peaks does it. Why, crossing the Alleghany mountains has the gulf stream to Bermuda beaten to a frazzle."
 So l gave him up finally and went home to pack. He came later in the evening with his machine, the Can nonball, to take me to the station, and he brought the forged notes in the Bronson case
 Guard them with your life he warned me. They are more precious than honor. Sew them in your chest protector, or wherever people keep valuables, l never keep any. I'll not be happy until I see Gentleman Andy doing the lockstep"
 He sat down on my clean collars found my cigarettes and struck a match on the mahogany bed post with one movement.
 Where's the Pirate?" he demanded The Pirate is my housekeeper, Mrs Klopton. very worthy woman. SC labeled-and libeled-because of fe rocious pair of eyes and what Me Knight called bucaneering nose quietly closed the door into the hall
 Keep your voice down, Richey," said "She is looking for the evening paper to see if it is going to rain, She has my raincoat and an umbrella wait ing in the hall"
 The collars being damaged beyond repair, he left them and went to the window. He stood there for some time, staring at the blackness that represented the wall ci the house next door.
 Its raining now" he said over his shoulder, and closed the window ant the shutters. Something in his voice made me glance up. but he was watch ing me. his hands idly in his pockets
 Who lives next door?" he inquired in a perfunctory tone, after pause was packing my razor
 House is empty" I returned absent ly. If the landlord would put it il some sort of shape"
 Did you put those notes in youl pocket?" he broke in.
 Yes" was impatient. Along