Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1910-10-13
CHAPTER /.
Go 10 Pittshurn.

network of clews that absolutely in
eliminate three entirely different peo
pie, only one of whom can be guilty.
and your faith In circumstantial evi
dense dies of overcrowding never
see a shivering. Whitehead wretch In
the prisoners dock that do not bark
back with shuddering horror TO the
strange events on the Pullman car
Ontario. between Washington and
Pittsburg, on the night OF September
3. last
Mcknight could tell the story
great deal better than |, although he
cannot spell three consecutive Words
correctly But, while he has innagi-
nation and huinor. ne is lazy
1T didn't happen to me. anyhow.
he protested when | put it up to him
And nobody cares for second hand
thrills. Besides. you want the I'm.
vanished and ungarnished truth. and
I'm no hand for that. I'm a lawyer
So am l, although there have been
times when my assumption in that
particular has been disputed ! am
unmarried and just old enough to
dance with the grown-up little sisters
of the girls used to know am fond
III outdoors, prefer horses to the afore-
said grown-up little sisters, and With
out sentiment cam crossed out and
was substituted.-Ed. and com
pletely ruled and frequently routed by
my housekeeper, an elderly widow,
IN fact, of all the men OF my ac
quaintance. was probably the most
prosaic. the least adventurous. the
one man in hundred who would be
likely to go without a deviation from
the normal through the orderly pro
cession of the seasons summer suits
to winter flannels, golf to bridge
So 1t was a queer freak of the de-
mons of chance to perch on my I'M
susceptible 30year-old chest. tie me
up with a crime. ticket me with a
love affair, and start me on that SEN
sational and not always respectable
journey that ended so surprisingly less
than three weeks later in the firm S
private office. 1t had been the most
remarkable period of my life. would
neither give 1t up nor live it again
under any inducement and yet all
that lost was some 90 yards off my
drive,
1t was really Meningitis turn to
tournament at Chevy Chase for Satur-
day. and short yacht cruise planned
for Sunday. and when man has been
grinding at statute law for a week he
needs relaxation But Mcknight
begged off 1t was not the first time
he had shirked that summer in order
to run down to Richmond. and | was
new excuse
Il wouldn't be able to look after the
business If did go he said He has
4 sort of wide-eyed frankness that
makes one ashamed to doubt him.
I'm always car sick crossing the
mountains. It's fact, I.ollie. See
saving over the peaks does it, Why,
the gulf stream to Bermuda beaten to
FRAGILE"
So 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
man honor Sew them In your chest
protector, or wherever people keep
valuables. ! never keep any I'll not
be happy until 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. a very worthy woman. SO
labeled-and libeled because of fe-
rocious pair of eyes and what Nc
Knight called a 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 81 the house
next door.
Its raining now" he said over his
shoulder. and closed the window and
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 door9' he inquired
in perfunctory tone after a pause.
was packing my razor
House is empty. returned absent
ly. III the landlord would put 1T in
some sort of shape
Did you put those notes In your
! pocket?" he broke in.
Yes was impatient. Along
4 with my certificates of registration,
baptism and vaccination Whoever
wants them will have to steal my coat
TO get them.
We'll. 1 would move them. If We're
4 you. Somebody in the next mouse
was confoundedly anxious TO see
where you put them Somebody right
at that window opposite
scoffed at the idea. but neverthe-
/ less moved the papers. putting them
in my travelling bag we'll down at the
s,uttom Mcknight watched me IN
easily.
Il have bunch that you are going
TO have trouble" he said. as locked
the alligator has. "Darned II ! nks