The Huttig news., 1910-04-09
hand was black one, sealskin, think The staggering thought nl

put my finger on the bell and kept it there until the porter came
 Did you ring. sir?" he asked. polk ing his head through the curtains ob- seduiously Mcknight objects that nobody can poke his head drought a curtain and he obsequious. But Pull man porters can and do
 No, | snapped. It rang itself. What in thunder do you mean by ex- changing my vaiise for this one? You'll have to find il if you waken the entire car to do it. There are impor- tant papers in that grip.
 Porter" called feminine voice from an upper berth near by. Porter, am I to dangle here all day?"
 Let her dangle." | said sayagely. You find that bag of mine
 The porter drowned. Then he looked at me with injured dignity. T brought in your overeoat, sir You carried your own valise
 The fellow was right, In an excess Of caution 1 had refused 10 relinquish my alligator bag, and had turned over my other traps to the porter. II was clear enough then. was simply a victim of the usual sleeping ear rob. bery. l was in father of perspira- tion by that time: The lady down the ear was still dangling and talking about it; still nearer feminine voice was giving quick orders in French, presumably to a maid The pol CT was on his knees. looking under the berth.
 Not there, sir he said, dusting his knees. He was yisibiy more cheerful, having been dissolved of responsibili- ty. Reckon 1t was taken while you was wanderin' around the ear last night"
 I'll give you $50 If you find it. I said. "A hundred. Reach up my shoes and IT,
 l stopped abruptly My eyes were fixed in stupefied amazement on coat that hung from hook at the foot ot my berth From the coat they travelled, dazed, to the soft-bosomed shirt beside it, and from there to the
 
 across the windows.
 "A hundred!" the porter repeated, showing his teeth. But I caught him by tie arm and pointed to the foot of the berth.
 "What-what color's that eoat?" asked unsteadily.
 Gray, sir" His tone was one of gentle reproof
 "And-the trousers?''
 He reached over and held up one creased leg. Gray, too," he grinned.
 "Gray.' l could not believe even hls corroboration of my own eyes But my clothes were bluei" The porter was amused; he diyed under the cur tains and brought up pair of shoes Your shoes. sir" he said with flourish. Reckon you've been dream ing, sir
 Now, there are two things I always avoid in my dress--possibly an idio- syncraey of my bachelor existence. These tabooed articles are red neck t1es and tan shoes. And not only were the shoes the porter lifted from the floor ot gorgeous shade of yellow, but the scarf which was run through che turned over collar was a gaudy red. It took full minute tor the real import of things to penetrate my dazed intelligence. Then gave a vindictive kick at the offending en. sem5le
 They're not mine, any of them" 1 snarled. They are some other tel- lows Fll sit here until | take root before | put them on"
 They're nice lookin clothes.' the porter put in. eying the red tie with appreciation. "Ain't everybody would have left you anything
 Call the conductor said short ly Then possible explanation oc- cured to me. .Oh. porter-whats the number of this berth?"
 Seven, sir. If you cain't wear those shoes"
 "Seven." in my relief almost shouted it. Why, then, it's simple enough. Pm in, the wrong berth. that's all. My berth is nine. Only where the deuce Is the man who be- longs here?'
 Likely in nine. sir" The darky was enjoying himself. You and the other gentleman just got mixed in the night That's all. SIT" 1t was clear that he thought l had been drinking.
 drew long breath. Of course. that was the explanation This was number seven's berth. that was his soft hat, this his umbrella. his coat, his bag My rage turned to irritation at myself
 The porter went to the next berth and I could hear his softly insinuat- ing voice. Time to get up, sir Are you awake? Time to get up."
 There was no response from num- Der nine. I guessed that he had opened the curtains and was looking in. Then he came back
 Number hines empty" he said.
 Empty Do you mean my clothes aren't there?s I demanded. My va iise? Why don't you answer me?"
 You doan' give me time" he retort. ed. There ain't nothin' there But it's been sleDt in v