The Montgomery tribune., 1910-08-26
CHAPTER vI-Continued.

the tragedy" asked, holding out the
case. ITS frightfully bad luck for
me. but 1t makes good story. You
see
At that moment the conductor and
porter ceased their colloquy. The con-
ductor came directly toward me, tug
ging as he came at his bristling gray
mustache.
Il would like to talk to you in the
car" he said to me, with a curious
glance at the young lady.
Cant it waltz" l objected. I'VE
are on our way to cup of coffee and
a slice Of bacon. Be merciful as you
are powerful"
Pm afraid the breakfast will have
to wait" he replied. 81 won't keep
you long" There was note of au-
thority in his voice which / resented;
but, after all, the circumstances were
unusual.
We'll have to defer that cup of
coffee for a WHILE" l said to the girl;
but don't despair; there's breakfast
somewhere"
AS we entered the car, she stood
aside, but felt rather than saw that
she followed us. | was surprised to
see a half dozen men gathered around
the berth in which l had wakened,
made up.
AS we passed along the aisle, j was
conscious of new expression on the
faces of the passengers The tall wom-
an who had tainted was searching my
face with narrowed eyes, while the
stout woman of the kindly heart
avoided my gaze, and pretended to
look out of the window.
AS we pushed our way through the
group fancied that it closed around
me ominously. The conductor said
nothing, but led the way without cere-
mony to the side of the berth.
whats the matter?" l inquired.
was puzzled, but not apprehensive.
"Have you some of my things? I'd be
thankful even for my shoes; these are
confoundedly tight"
Nobody spoke, and fell silent, too.
For one of the pillows had been turned
over, and the under side of the white
case was streaked with brownish
stains. I think 1t was perceptible
time before | realized that the stains
were blood, and that the faces around
were filled with suspicion and dis
trust.
why, it-that looks like blood /
said vacuously. There was an inces-
SAINT pounding in my ears, and the
conductors voice came from far OF.
1T is blood" he asserted grimly.
l looked around with dizzy at
tempt at nonchalance. Even If 1t is.
I demonstrated, surely you don't sup
pose for moment that know any.
thing about it,"
The amateur detective elbowed his
way in. He had scrap of transpar'
ent paper in his hand, and pencil.
II would like permission to trace
the stains," he began eagerly. Also
Ito me-"if you will kindly jab your
finger with pin--needle--anything-'
IF you don't keep out of this" the
conductor said savagely, Il will dc
some jabbing myself. AS for you
sir" he turned to me. was ab
solutely innocent, but knew that
presented a typical picture of guilt;
was covered with cold sweat, and the
pounding in my ears kept up dizzily
-'As for. you, sir"
The irrepressible amateur detective
made a quick pounce at the pillow anc
pushed back the cover Before our in
credulous eyes he drew out marrow
steel dirk which had been buried K
the small cross that served as head
There was chorus of voices
around, quick surging forward o
the crowd. So that was what hat
scratched my hand! / buried thu
wound in my coat pocket.
'sWell," said, trying to speak natur
ally, doesn't that prove what | hav'
been telling you? The man who com
mitted the murder belonged to thi
berth, and made an exchange in SOM
way after the crime. How do yo'
know he didn't change the tags so
would come back to this bertha? Thi
was an inspirationi ] was please'
with It. That's what he did, h
changed the tags" reiterated.
There was murmur of assen
around. The doctor. who was stand
ing beside me, put his hand on M
arm. IF this gentleman COMMITTEES
this crime, and for one feel sure h
did not, then who Is the fellow VIII
got away? And why did he go?"
I'VE have only one mans word TO
that" the conductor snarled, I've tra'
eied some In these cars myself, an