The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1910-09-30
CHAPTER vl-continued.

CHAPTER W-Continued.
Then you haven't heard the rest Of
the tragedy" asked, holding out the
case. ''It's frightfully bad luck for
me, but it makes good story. You
Sec"
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" objected. 1--WE
are on our way to a cup of coffee and
. slice of bacon. Be merciful as you
are powerful"
I'm afraid the breakfast will have
to wait" he replied. II won't keep
you long" There was a note of au-
thority in his voice which l resented: !:
but, after all, the circumstances were
unusual.
We'll 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 I felt rather than saw that
che followed us. l was surprised to
see q half dozen men gathered around
the berth in which l had wakened,
number seven. 1t had not yet been
made up.
AS we passed along the aisle, was
conscious of a new expression on the
faces of the passengers. The tall wom-
IN 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. l fancied that it closed around
me ominously. The conductor said
nothing, but led the way without cere-
nony to the side of the berth.
Whats the matter?" inquired. I
Was puzzled, but not apprehensive.
sHave you some Of my things? I'd be
~
eonfoundedly tight"
Nobody spoke, and fell silent, too.
Tor one Of the pillows had been turned
ever. and the under side Of the white
ease was streaked with brownish
Stains. I think it was q perceptible
time before I realized that the stains
were blood, and that the faces around
nj
trust.
why, it-that looks like blood" l
said vacuously. There was an inces-
SAINT pounding In my ears, and the
conductors voice came from far on.
1T IL blood" he asserted grimly.
looked around with q dizzy at
tempt at nonchalance. Even II 1t is.
] demonstrated, surely you don't sup
pose for q moment that know any
thing about it,"
The amateur detective elbowed his
way In. He had q scrap OF transpar-
eut paper In his hand, and q pencil.
II would like permission to trace
the stains" he began eagerly. ALSO
to me-''if you will kindly jab your
Anger with apin-needle-anything-'
II you don't keep out Of this" the
conductor said savagely, Il will do
some jabbing myself. As for you,
SIR" he turned to me. l was ab'
sclutely innocent but knew that !
presented 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 quick pounce at the pillow and
Dushed back the cover. Before our in
erodulous eyes he drew out narrow
steel dirk which had been buried to
tho small Cross that served as head.
There was a chorus Of voices
aronnd. quick surging forward OF
~ crowd. So that was what had
scratched my hand! buried the
wound In my coat pocket.
We'll" said. trying to speak natur-
ally. doesn't that prove what l have
been telling you? The man who COM
mltno0 the murder belonged to this
noe1h, and made an exchange In some
wav1 after the crime. How do you
knoW he didn't change the tags so I
wonA come back to this BERTH" This
waoN "A inspiration; was pleased
~ Il That's what he did, he
oho~eod the tags" reiterated.
3Soro vas Z murmur Of assent
nrc 4ne doctor. who was stand
1Do m0, put his hand on my
i1s ~ tlie gentleman committed
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