Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-05-22


Hotchkiss-"that the police were here while
we were at Cresson. and they found the
bag that brought from the wreck"
Things are coming to a head" he said
thoughtfully, unless a little plan that
have in mind" he hesitatcd.
II hope 30; l am pretty nearly desper-
ate" 1 said doggedly. I've got a mental
toothache, and the sooner it's pulled the
better"
Tut, tut" said Mcknight, think OF the
disgrace to the firm II its senior member
goes up for life, or" he twisted his hand
kerchef into a moose, and went through an
elaborate pantomime.
Although jail isn't so bad, anyhow" he
finished, there are fellows that get the
habit and keep going back and going back"
He looked at his watch, and l fancied his
cheerfulness was strained Hotchkiss was
nervously fumbling in my book
Did you ever read The Purloined Let
ter Mr.. Blakeley?" he inquired.
Probably, years ago" l said. Poe
isn't it?"
He was choked at my indifference 1T
is a masterpiece" he said with enthus-
iasm. Il re-read it today"
And what happened?"
Then inspected the rooms in the house
off Washington Circle, IL made some dis
coveries, Mr.. Blakeley. For one thing our
man there is left-handed." He looked
around for our approval. There was a
small cushion on the dresser, and the scarf
pins in it had been stuck in with the left
hand"
Somebody may have twisted the cush-
ion," objected. but he looked hurt, and !
desisted.
There is only one discrepancy" he ad-
mitted, but it troubles me- According to
Mrs. Carter, at the farm house, our man
were gaudy pyjamas, while l found here
only the most severely plain night shirts
Amy buttons Off" Mcknight inquired
looking again at his watch.
THE buttons were there" the amateur
detective answered gravely, but the but
tonhole next the top one was torn through
Mcknight winked at me furtivelY.
Il am convinced of one thing" Hotch.
kiss went on, clearing his throat, "thC
papers are not in that room. Either ht
carries them with him, or he has sold
them"
sound on the street made both my
visitors listen sharply. Whatever it was Il
passed on, however. / was growing curious
and the restraint was telling on Mcknight
He has no talent for secrecy. In the in
terval we discussed the strange occurrence
at Cresson, which lost nothing by Hotch
kiss dry narration.
"And So" he concluded, the woman ir
the Baltimore hospital is the wife of Henry
Sullivan and the daughter Of the man hi
murdered. No wonder he collapsed wher
he heard OF the wreck"
Joy, probably" Mcknight put in. Il:
that clock right, Lawrence? Never mind
1t doesn't matter BY the way, Mrs. Con
way dropped in the office yesterday. whilt
you were away"
What" l sprang from my chair.
Sure thing. Said she had heard grea
things Of us, and wanted us to handle he
case against the railroad"
II would like 70 know what she Is DRIVING
at" l reflected. lis she trying to reach M
through your
Richey's flippancy is often a cloak 70
deeper feeling. He dropped 1t now. Yes,
he said. she's after the notes. OF course
And III tell you l felt like a poltroon-
whatever that may be-when turned he
, down. She stood by the door with her fac
, white, and told me contemptuously that
, could save you from a murder charge an,
, wouldn't do It. She made me feel like
: cur, I was just as guilty as II could hav
obliged her, She limited that there wer
reasons and she laid my attitude TO beastl
, motives"
. Nonsense" said, as easily as 1 could
S Hotchkiss had gone to the window. Ssh
4 was excited There are no reasons what
ever she means"
. Richey put his hand on my shoulder
= We've been together too long TO let ar
reasons or 'unreasons' come between ui
I old man." he said, not very steadily.
5 Hotchkiss, who had been silent. her
came forward in his most impressive mar
b ner, He put his hands under his coat tail
r and coughed.
o mr.. Blakeley." he began. by Mr.. No