Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-05-28


IL was the amateur detective OF the
Ontario,
I shook hands without enthusiasm.
Here was the one survivor OF the
wrecked car who could do me any
amount OF harm. There was no hope
that he had forgotten any OF the in
eliminating details In fact. he held
in his hand the very notebook which
contained them.
His manner was restrained, but Il
was evident he was highly excited. I
introduced him 60 Mcknight who has
the imagination I lack. and who
placed him at once. mentally.
81 only learned yesterday that you
had been-er-saved," he said rapid
". Terrible accident-unspeaka
Dream about it all night and think
about IL all day. Broken arm2"
NO He just wears the splint 70
be different from other people" Nc
Knight drawled laZily 7 glared at
him; there was nothing 20 be gained
by antagonizing the little man.
yes. a fractured humerus. which
isn't as funny as 10 sounds"
"Humerus-humorous Pretty good.
he cackled. Il must say you keep up
your spirits pretty wei. considering
everything"
You seem 20 have escaped injury"
I parricd. He was fumbling for some
thing in his pockets
Yes. I escaped" ne replied alb
| stractedly Remarkable thing. too.
] haven't "A doubt would have broken
my neck but landed on-youu never
guess what I landed head FIRST on
the very pillow which was under In
spection az the time OF the wreck. You
remember, don't you? Where did I
put that package?"
He found IL finally and opened 10 on
table. displaying with some thcatric-
alism rectangular piece OF muslin
and a similar patch OF striped tick
ing.
You recognize IT," ne said. The
stains. you see. and the hole made by
the dirk. 7 tried 90 bring away the
| entire pillow. but they thought I was
stealing f., and made me give IL up"
Richey touched the pieces gingerly.
| by George" DE said "and you carry
that around in your pocket What n
you should mistake IL FOR your hand
! kerchief2"
But Mr.. Hotchkss was not listen
| ing. He stood bent somewhat for.
! ward, leaning over the table, and fixed
me with his ferrotlike eyes.
Have you seen the evening papers.
Mr.. Blakeley-" he inquired.
I glanced 10 where they lay IN
opened. and shook my head
! Then I have a disagreeable task. /"
/ he said with evident relish. "Of
| course. YOU had considered the matter
OF the man Harrington's death closed.
after the wreck. did myself. AS far
as ] was concerned, / meant 20 let Il
remain SO. There were no other sur
vivors. at least none that I knew OF.
and in spite OF circumstances. there
were a number Of points in your Ia
yor.
Il verified your identity, for in
stance. as soon as recovered from
the shock Also-I found on inquiring
Of your tailor that you invariably wore
dark clothing"
Mcknight came forward threatening
| ly. Who are you, anyhow" he de-
| manded And how is this any bust
ness OF yours?" Mr. Hotchkiss was
entirely unrufned
Il have a minor position here" he
said, reaching for visiting card. Il
am a very small patch on the seat OF
government, sir"
Mcknight muttered something about
certain offensive designs against the
said patch and retired grumbling 70
the window. Our visitor was opening
the paper with a tremendous expendi-
ture OF energy.
Here ii IS. Listen" He read rap
idly aloud:
The Pittsburg police have sent TO
Baltimore two detectives who are
looking up the survivors OF the III
fated Washington Filler. It has trans
! pired that Simon Harrington, the
Wood street merchant OF that city,
was not killed il the wreck. but was
murdered IN his berth the night pre-
ceding the accident Shortly before
the collision. John Flanders, the con-
ductor Of the Filler. sent this telegram
} to the chief Of police:
| Body OF Simon Harrington found
stabbed in his berth lower ten, On
tario. at $50 this morning.
| JOHN FLANDERS. Conductor
] 1T is hoped that the survivors OF
the wrecked car Ontario will be found.
to tell what they know of the discov-
cry Of the crime
| Mr.. John Gilmore. head of the
steel company for which Mr.. Harring-
ton was purchasing agent. has signifed
his intention of sitting the matter to
the bottom"
$50 you see," Hotchkiss concluded,
there's trouble brewing. You and I
are the only survivors OF that unfor-
tunate car"
did not contradict him, but knew
OF two others, at least: Alison West,
and the woman we had left beside the
road that morning, babbling incoher.
entity, her black hair tumbIing over
her white face.
Unless we can find the man who
occupied lower seven" l suggested.
l.. -.