The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1911-01-06
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?"
Il am not certain" she replied, 81
have seen n very much like it." Her
tone was troubled. She glanced at me
as II for help but | was powerless.
"Where?" The detective was watch
ing her closely.
At that moment there came an In
corruption. The door opened without
ceremony, and Johnson ushered I'm a
tall, 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
beRmed cordially. "Have q 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. "Tf
F0u viii be good enough to explain"
"But that's what you're to do" Nc.
Knight said cheerfully, pulling up a
ehair. 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 "a Ontario two weeks ago. the
night your father-in-law was muir
dered." Sullivan gripped the arms of
his chair. I'VE are not prejudiced,
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
70 one odds on you. And some oil us
have still other theories"
Gentlemen" Sullivan said slowly,
7 give you my word of honor that |
did not kill Simon Harrington, and
that | do not know who did"
"F1ddlededeel" cried Hotchkiss,
bustling forward. why, I can tell
you" But Mcknight pushed him
6rmly into a chair and held him there.
Il am ready to plead guilty to the
larceny" Sullivan went on. Il took
Mr.. Blakeley's clothes, / admit. II /
can reimburse him in any way for the
Inconvenience"
The stout detective was listening
with his mouth open. do you mean
to say" he demanded, ''that you got
into Mr.. B~Iakeley's berth, as he con.
tends, took his clothes and forged
notes. and left the train before the
wreck?"
Yes"
'-The notes, them"
II gave them to Bronson ~yS4a.sIAy.
Much good they did HIM" bitterly.
We were all silent for q moment. The
two detectives were adjusting them
selves with difficulty to a new point of
view. Sullivan was looking detected.
" at the floor, his hands ha aging
loose between bis knees. / was watch
ing Alison, from where l staod, be-
hind her, | could almost totcA the
soft hair behind her ear. I
81 have no intention OF pressing any
charge against you. I said vita forced
clyility. for my hands were itching to
get al him, "if you will give us a clear
account OF what happened GA the ON.
tari0 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
guest at the Laurels a few days--or
nights-ago? The kat, you remember,
and the rug that slippedY"
Il remember" | said shortly. He
glanced from ne to Alison and quick.
Iy away.
sThc trutl cant hurt me-" hc said,
hut it'E devslish unpleasant. Alison,
you know all this. You would better
90 out"
Els use OF her name crazed N /
stepped in front OF her and stood over
him. "you win not bring Miss West
Into tho conversation, threatened.
and sks will stay = she wishes"