The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1911-10-13
CHAPTER XXI.
McKniuht's Theory,

l confess l was staggered. The
people at the surrounding tables, after
glancing curiously in my direction,
looked away again.
l got my hat and went out in very
uncomfortable frame of mind That
she would inform the police at once
Of what she knew never doubted, IN
less possibly she would give a day or
two's grace in the hope that would
change my mind.
reviewed the situation as I waited
for a car. Two passed me going in
the opposite direction and on the first
one l saw Bronson, his hat over his
eyes, his arms folded, looking moodily
ahead. Was it imagination? or was
the small man huddled in the corner
of the rear seat Hotchkiss?
AS the car rolled on found myself
smiling. The alert little man was for
all the world like terrier. ever on the
scent, and securing about in every di-
rection.
l found Mcknight at the Incubator,
with his coat off. working with enthu-
siasm and a manicure file over the
horn of his auto.
Its the worst horn l ever ran
across" he groaned, without looking
up, as l came in. 1.-THE blankety-
blank thing won't blow"
He punched it savagely, finally elic-
iting a faint throaty croak.
"My sister-in-law uses camphor and
goose grease for it; or how about a
spice poultice?"
But Mcknight never sees any jokes
but ais own. He flung the horn elat-
tering into a corner and collapsed
suEkily into a chair.
Now" / said, eff you're through
nanicuring that horn, I'll tell you
about my talk with the lady in black.
whats wrong?" asked Mcknight,
languidly. police watching her, too"'
"Not exactly. The fact is, Rich,
there's the mischief to pay.
Stogie came in, bringing a few addi-
lions to our comfort. When he went
out I told my story.
you must remember" said, that
I had seen this woman before the
morning of the wreck. She was buy
ing her Pullman ticket when did.
Then the next morning, when the muir
der was discovered, she grew hyster-
icsI and gave her some whisky. The
third and last time I saw her until
tonight. was when she crouched be-
side the road. after the wreck"
Mcknight slid down in his chair I'M
til his weight rested on the small OF
his back and put his feet on the big
reading table. .
"It,s rather a facer," he said. ITS
really too good a situation for COM
monnlace lawyer. 1t ought to be
dramatized. You can't agree, OF
course: and by refusing you run the
chance of Jail, at least, and Of having
Alison brought into publicity, which is
ont of the question. You say she was
at the Pullman window when you
were?"
Gave her lower eleven.
"And you took tenn?
Lower ten"
Mcknight Strengthened up and
looked at me.
Then she thought you were IN
lower ten"
Il suppose she did, if she thought
at ALL"
"R,,t listen, man" Mcknight was
growing excited. What do you figure
out of this? The Conway woman
knows YOU have taken the notes 10
pittshurg. The probabilities are that
She follows you there, on the chance
of an opportunity to get them' el'hei
for Bronson or herself,
Nothing doing'during the trip over over
or dnring the day in Pittshurg: but
she learns the number OF your perrin
rs YOU buy it at the Pullman ticket
Office in Pittsburg and she THINKS sue
secs her chance, No one could nave ave
soreseen that that drunken teiIo"
would nave crawled into your berth:
"Now. l figure it out this way enc
= ,+a, Observation-Disclosures