The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1911-09-01

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stains, you see, and the hole made b,
the dirk. / tried to bring away tn
entire pillow, but they thought wa!
stealing it, and made me give it up.
! Richey touched the pieces gingerly
BY George" he said, and you carr,
that around in your pocket What I
you should mistake it for your hand
kerchief?"
But Mr.. Hotchkiss was not listen
ing. He stood bent somewhat for
ward. leaning over the table, and dxet
me with his ferret-like eyes.
Have you seen the evening papers
Mr.. Blakeley?" he inquired.
glanced to where they lay un
opened, and shook my head.
Then have q disagreeabfe task
he said with evident relish. 20
course, you had considered the mattel
OF the man Harrtngton's death closed
after the wreck. I did myself. AS fal
as was concerned, meant to let &
remain so. There were no other sur
ViVors, at least none that / knew Of
and in spite of circumstances, therc
we're a number Of points in your IA
Eor.
I verified your identity, for in
stance, as soon as / recovered from
the shock Also-I found on inuuirins
OF your tailor that you invariably wore
dark clothing"
Mcknight came forward threatening
ly. Who are you, anyhow he de
manded. And how Is this any bust
ness OF yours?" Ar. Hotchdss wa.
entirely unrufled.
I have a minor position here" ht
said, reaching for a visiting card. -
am very small patch on the seat OIL
government, sir"
Mcknight muttered something about
certain offensive designs against the
said patch and retired grumblIng tc
the window. Our visitor was opening
the paper with tremendous expendi
ture of energy.
Here it is. Listen" He read rap
idly aloud:
The Pittsburg police have sent tr
Baltimore two detectives who arr
looking up the survivors OF the Ill
fated Washington Filler. It has trans
ptred that Simon Harrington, tht
Wood street merchant Of that city
was not killed in the wreck. but was
murdered in his berth the night pre
ceding the accident Shortly befors
the collision, John Flanders, the con
ductor Of the Filler, sent this telegram
to the chief of police:
Body of Simon Harrington found
stabbed in his berth, lower ten On
tario, at $50 this morning.
JOHN FLANDERS. Conductor.
Tt is hoped that the survivors OF
the wrecked car Ontario will be found,
to tell what they know of the discoy,
cry of the crime.
Mr.. John Gilmore. head of the
steel company for which Mr.. Harrfng.
ton was purchasing agent, has sfgnifed
his intention Of sitting the matter to
the bottom"
So you see" Hotchkiss concluded,
there's trouble brewing. You and I
are the only survivors of that unfor.
tunate car"
l did not contradict him. but knew
of two others, at least: Alison West.
and the woman we had left beside the
road that morning, babbling incoher
emily, her black hair tumbling over
her white face.
Unless We can find the man who
occupied lower SEVEN" I suggested.
Il have already tried and failed. To
find him would not clear you. Of
course, unless We could establish soma
connection between him and the muir.
dered man. 1t is the only thing I
see. however. / have learned this
much" Hotehkiss concluded: Lower
seven was reserved from Cresson."
CTessOn! Where Alison West and
Mrs. Curtis had taken the train!
Mcknight came forward and sud.
ienly held out his hand. Mr.. Hotch.
Kiss" he said. lin sorry il / have
been offensive. l thought when you
'ame in, that, like the Irishman and
he government. you were 'forninst'
Is. II you will put those cheerful
'elies out Of sight somewhere, should
Re glad to have you dine with me at
he Incubator" Ills name for his
apartment.l Compared with
Johnson, you are the great original
The strength OF this was lost on
iotehkiss. but the invitation was
lear. They went out together. and
rom my window l watched them get
ntO Meningitis car. 1t was raining.
nd at the corner the CannonbaIl
kidded. Across the street my detect.
re. Johnson. looked after them with
IS crooked smile. As he turned up
is collar he saw me. and lifted his
ut.
l left the window and sat down in
he growing dusk So the occupant OF |
'wer seven had go. on the car at /
reSSon, probably with Alison West 1