The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1911-01-05
CHAPTER XXX.-Continued.

When did you find it?" asked the
lean detective. bending forward.
In the morning, not long before the
wreck"
Did you ever see 1t before?"
l am not certain" she replied. 81
nave seen one very much like it," Her
tone was troubled. She glanced at me
as II for help, bat | was powerless.
"Where?" The detective was watch.
Ing her closely.
At that moment there came an in
ferruplion. The door opened without
ssremeny. and Johnson ushered IN g
JAIL. blonde man, a stranger to all of
us. ! glanced at Alison; she was pale
but composed and s%cornful. She met
the newcomers eyes full. and, caught
unawares, he took a hasty backward
step.
sit down. Mr.. Sullivan" Mcknight
beamed cordially. Have a cigar?
beg your pardon, Alison, do you mind
this smoker"
Not at ALL" she said composedly
Sullivan had had a second to sound
his bearings.
Mono. thanks" he mumbled. I'll
you will be good enough to explain
But that's what you're to do" Nc
Knight said cheerfully, pulling up a
chair. you've got the most attentive
audience you could ask. These two
gentlemen are detectives from Pitts.
burg. and we are all curious to know
the finer details of what happened on
the cal Ontario two weeks ago, the
night your father-in-law was muir,
dered." Sullivan gripped the arms OF
his chair. I'VE are not preiudiced,
either. The gentlemen from Pitts.
burg are betting on Mr.. Blakeley, over
there. Mr.. Hotchkiss, the gentleman
by the radiator, is ready to place ten
10 n odds on you. And some of us
have still other theories"
Gentlemen Sullivan said slowly,
7 give you my word of honor that
did not kill Simon Harrington. and
that I do not know who did"
'Fiddlededee!" cried Hotchkiss,
busting forward. "Why, | can tell
you" But Mcknight pushed him
firmly into a chair and held him there.
II an ready to plead guilty to the
larceny" Sullivan went on. Il took
Mr.. Blakeley's clothes, | admit. II |
car reimburse him in any way for the
Inconvenience"
The stout detective was listening
with HIS mouth open. do you mean
10 say" he demanded, that you got
into Mr.. Blakeley's berth, as he con
tends, took his clothes and forged
notes, and left the train before the
wreck"
Yes"
The notes. Them"
Il gave them 60 Bronson yests. day.
Much good they did HIM" bitterly.
We were all silent for a moment. The
two detectives we're adjusting them.
selves with difficulty to a new point of
view. Sullivan was looking detected
" ct the floor, his hands ha aging
loose between his knees. / was watch
ing Alison. from where 1 stooa, be-
hind her, I could almost touch the
soft hair behind her ear.
ri have no intention Of pressing any
charge against you" I said WITH forced
civNity. for my hands were itching to
get at him. "ff you will give us a clear
acseunt Of what happened on the On
tar3o that night"
Sullivan raised his handsome. bag
gard head and looked around at me
i've seen you before, haven't II" he
asked. Weren't yea an unlimited
guesA at the Laure's a few days-or
nights-ago? The cat, you remember.
and the rug that slipped?"
II remember" I said shortly. He
GIanced from me- to Alison and quick
b away.
The truth cant hurt me-" he said.
hut its devilish unpleasant. Alison,
you know all this. You would better
% out"
His use OF her name crazed me. I
stepped In front of her and stood over
him. "You will not bring Miss West
lnte the conversation" / threatened.
~and she viii stay II she wishes"