The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1911-08-25

Probably hadn't yet discovered the
Bronson notes-proViding you hold to
your theory that the theft was in
cidental to the murder. May have
wanted his own clothes again, or to
thank you for yours. Search me;
can't think of anything else" The
doctor came in Just then.
Pretty good shape" he said. How
did you sleep?"
ooh, occasionally" I replied. Il
would like to sit up, doctor"
Nonsense. Take a rest while you
have an excuse for 1t. / wish to thun-
der I could stay in bed for day or
so. was up all night"
Have q drink" Mcknight said,
pushing over the bottle.
"Twins!" The doctor grinned.
"Have two drinks"
But the medical man refused.
II wouldn't even wear a champagne.
colored necktie during business
hours" he explained. by the way,
had another case from your acct.
dent, Mr.. Blakeley, last yesterday aft.
ernoon. Under the tongue, please"
He stuck thermometer in my mouth.
had a sudden terrible vision of the
amateur detective coming to light,
notebook, cheerful impertinence and
discriminating data. "a small man?"
demanded, gray hair"
Keep your mouth closed" the doc.
tor said peremptorily. mo. A won.
an, with a fractured skull. Beautiful
| case. Van Kirk was up to his eyes
and sent for me. Hemorrhage, right.
sided paralysis, irregular pupils-all
the trimmings. Worked for two
hours"
Did she recover?" Mcknight put in.
He was examining the doctor with
new awe.
"She lifted her right arm before
left" the doctor finished cheerily, $50
the operation was a success, even II
she should die,
Good heavens" Mcknight broke
in "and 1 though! you were just an
ordinary mortal, like the rest of us!
Let me touch you for luck. Was she
pretty?"
Yes, and young. Had a wealth of
bronze-colored hair. Upon my soul.
hated to cut it."
Mcknight and exchanged glances.
do you know her name, doctor?" I
asked
mo. The nurses said her clothes
came from Pittsburg tailor"
"She is not conscious, suppose?"
mo; she may be to-morrow-or in
a week."
He looked at the thermometer
murmured something about liquid diet
avoiding my eye-Mrs. Klopton was
broiling a chop at the time-and tool
his departure, humming cheerfully as
he went downstairs. Mcknight looked
after him wistfully.
"Jove, I wish had his constitu
tion," he exclaimed. Neither nerves
nor heart! What a chauffeur he would
make!"
But was serious.
Il have an idea," l said grimly
that this small matter of the murder
is going to come up again, and that
your uncle will be in the deuce of a
fix if it does. If that woman is going
to die, somebody ought to be around
to take her deposition. She knows q
'ot, if she didn't do it herself. l wish
you would go down to the telephone
and get the hospital. Find out her
name. and If she is conscious"
Mcknight went under protest. 81
| haven't much tiTf1a - hp aaid IOnkino
at his watch. I'm to meet Mrs. West
and Alison at one. I want you to
know them, Lollie. You would like
the mother"
why not the daughter?" l in
quired. l touched the little gold bag
under the pillow.
WELL" he said judicially. you've
always declared against the immature
ty and romantic nonsense of very
young women"
Il never said anything of the sort,
l retorted furiously.
"'There is more satisfaction to be
had out of good saddle horse!" he
quoted me. More excitement out
of a polo pony, and as for the eternal
| naLTlIIlOuldl CndSeJ give NE luSLedu
good stubble, a fox, some decent dogs
and hunter, and I'll show you the
real joys of the chase!'"
"For heavens sake, go down to tbs
telephone, you make my head ACHE
l said savagely.
| l hardly know what prompted me
to take out the gold purse and look
at it. 1t was an imbecile thing to do
call it impulse, sentimentality
what you wish. l brought 1t out, one
eye on the door, for Mrs. Klopton has
a ready eye and noiseless shoe. But
the house was quiet. Downstairs Nc
Knight was flirting with the telephone
central and there was an odor OF
boneset tea in the air. l think Mrs,
Klopton was fascinated out of her
theories by the ''boneset" in connec.
/ ton with the fractured arm.
Anyhow. held up the bag and look
ed at 1t. 1t must have been un'
fastened. for the next instant there