The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1910-11-02

MI. bl8keleys sue S8IO QusclIys =
think We can lay aside all subterfuse
In the first place let ne refresh you
mind about q few things. The Pitts.
burg police are looking for the sur.
vivors of the car Ontario; there are
three that ! know of-yourself, the
young woman with whom you left
the scene of the wreck. and myself.
The wreck, you will admit. was for
tunate one for you"
l nodded without speaking.
AT the time of the collision you
were in rather a hole" she went on.
looking at me with q disagreeable
smile You were, if I remember, &C.
cused of a rather atrocious crime.
There was a lot of corroborative evil
dence, was there not? I seem to re-
| member a dirk and the murdered
mans pocket-book in your possession.
and a few other things that were
| well. rather unpleasant"
was thrown bit off my guard.
You remember. Also" said quick
ly, that a man disappeared from the
car. taking my clothes. papers and
everything"
Il remember that You said So Her
tone was quietly insulting. and l bit
my lip at having been caught. 1t was
no time to make a defense.
"You have missed one calculation"
I said coldly, land that is the dis.
covery of the man who left the train"
You have found him." She bent
forward, ard again l regretted my
hasty speech. Il knew it; said So"
I'VE are going to find him." I as
serted. with confidence did not
feel I'VE can produce at any time
! proof that a man left the Filler few
miles beyond the wreck. And We can
find him. ] AM positive"
| But you have not found him YETI"
She was clearly disappointed. We'll.
so be it. Now for our bargain. You
will admit that l am no fool"
I made no such admission, and she
smiled mockingly.
How flattering you are!" she said.
VERY well Now for the premises.
You take to Pittsburg four notes held
by the Mechanics national bank. &c
have Mr.. Gilmore. who is i'll. declare
his Endorsement of them forged.
"On the journey back to Pittsburg
two things happen to you: You lose
your clothing your valise and your
papers. including the notes. and you
are accused of murder. In fact. Mr..
Blakeley. the circumstances were most
singular. and the evidence-well. al
most conclusive"
was completely at her mercy, but
I gnawed my lip with irritation.
Now for the bargain" She leaned
over and lowered her voice. a fair
exchange. you know. The minute you
put those four notes in my hand
that minute the blow to my head has
caused complete forgetfulness as to
the events of that awful morning.
am the only witness, and l will be 81.
lent. Do you understand? They will
call of their dogs"
My head was buzzins with the
strargcness of the idea.
But" I said. striving to gain time.
Il haven't the notes. l can't give you
what l haven't got"
You have had the case continued,
she said sharply. You expect to find
them. Another thing" she added
slowly, watching my face. If you don,
get them soon, Bronson will have
them. They have been offered to him
already. but at 4 prohibitive price"
| But" I said, bewildered, what is
your object in coming to me? II
Bronson will get them anyhow"
She shut her fan with a click and
her face was not particularly pleasant
to look at.
"You are dense" she said insolent
". Il want these papers-fOr myself
not for Andy Bronson"
Then the idea is l said. ignoring
her tone. that you think you have
me in a hole. and that if find those
papcrs and give them to You you will
let me cut. As I understand it, our
friend Bronson. under those circum'
stances, will also be in a hole"
She nodded.
The notes would be of no use to
Won for a limited length of time"
went on. watching her narrowly. I'll
they are not turned over to the state 5
attorney within reasonable time there
will have to be a nolle proS-that Is
the case will simply be dropped for
lack of evidence"
a week would answer. I think.
she said slowly. "You will 20 it. then,
laughed. although l was not espe
| cially cheerful
NO. I'll not do ii. ! expect tt
come across the notes any time now
ard I expect just as certainly to turn
them over to the states attorney
VIXEN get them
She got up suddenly. pushing he'
chair back with a noisy grating sound
that turned many eyes toward us.
You're more of fool than
thought you" she sneered. and left
me At the table.
tTO DE COETINCED)