Charlevoix county herald., 1910-10-29
CHAPTER vi-Continued.

CHAPTER W-Continucu.
Then you haven't heard the rest OF
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 MS he came at his bristling gray
mustache.
II would like to talk to you In the
car" he said to me, with curious
glance at the young lady.
Cant 1t waltz" l objected. I'VE
are on our way to cup of cohee and
a slice OF bacon. Be merciful as you
are powerful"
Pm afraid the breakfast will have
70 wait" he replied. IL won't keep
you long" There was a note OF au-
thority in his voice which | resented;
but, after all, the circumstances were
unusual
Well have to defer that cup OF
coffee for while" / said to the girl;
but don't despair; there's breakfast
somewhere"
As we entered the car, she stood
aside, but l felt rather than saw that
abe followed us. | was surprised to
see half dozen men gathered around
the berth in which / had wakened,
number seven. 1t had not yet been
made up.
AS we passed along the aisle, 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-
rnony to the side of the berth.
Whats the matter?" / inquired. l
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 "hlte
case was streaked with brownisn
stains. | think it was perceptiole
time before realized that the stains
were blood. and that the faces around
we're filled with suspicion and dis
trust
why, it-that looks like blood.
said vacuously. There was an lnces
SAINT pounding in my ears, and the
conductors voice came from Tar on
ut is blood" he asserted grimly.
l looked around with dizzy at
tempt at nonchalance. Even II 1t is'
demonstrated, surely you don't sup
pose for moment that / know any
thing about it,"
The amateur detective elbowed MI
way In. He had scrap OF transpar
ent paper in his hand, and a pencil.
az would like permission to trac'
the stains" he began eagerly. Also
to me-'if you will kindly jab you
finger With pin-needle-anytning-
"IfTBou don't keep out OF THIS, III
conductor said savagely, i VIII q
SEINE jabbing myself. AS for yot
solutely innocent, but l knew that
presented a typical picture OF gulit;
was covered with cold sweat, and Tn
pounding in my ears kept up dizzilI
AS for you, sir"
The irrepressible amateur detectiv
made quick pounce at the pillow an
pushed back the cover. Before our il
credulous eyes he drew out narro'
steel dirk which had been buried |
the small cross that served as hea'
There was a chorus or voice
S>round, a quick surging forward
the crowd. So that was what ha
scratched my hand! / buried IN
wou6d in my coat pocket.
We'll" said, trying to speak natu
ally. doesn't that prove what l haV
been telling you? The man who cor
mitted the murder belonged to tn
borth, and made an exchange In SON
way after the crime. How do yo
know he didn't change the tags SO
would come back to this berth?" Tn
was an inspiration; was please
with it. That's what he did, /
changed tho tags" reiterated.
There was a murmur OF assel
around. The doctor, who was stan
ing beside me, put his hand on
arm. "If this gentleman committ'
this crime, and | for one feel sure
did not, then who is the fellow wi
got away? And why did he go?'
1--WE haze only one mans word y
taat." the conductor snarled. I've ira
..a .~,x,. In thnaa cara mygelf al