Rocky Ford enterprise., 1911-03-31
CHAPTER xxx.-contInued.

HE would probably be accused of
the crime. So. although when the
wreck occurred I supposed everyone
connected with the affair had been
killed. there was q chance that you
had survived. I've not been Of much
account. but I didn't want a man to
swing because I left him in my place
Besides. I began to have q theory Of
my own.
"As we entered the car a tall, dark
woman passed us. with a glass OF wa.
ter in her hand. and vaguely remem-
bered her. She was amazingly like
Blanche Conway.
IF she. too. thought the man with
the notes was in lower ten. It ex.
planned a lot. including that piece Of
a woman's necklace. She was fury.
Blanche Conway. capable OF any
thing"
Then why did you countermand
that message?" asked curiously.
when I got to the Carter house.
and got to bed-I had sprained my
ankle In the jump went through
the alligator bag I had taken from
lower nine. When found your name.
I sent the first message. Then. soon
after. I came across the notes. II
seemed too good to be true. and was
crazy for fear the message had gone.
AT first I was going to send them
to Bronson: then began to see what
the possession Of the notes meant to
me. It meant power over Bronson.
money. influence. everything. He was
a devil. that man."
No. a. NR~
Knight. and We were glad to laugh
and relieve the tension.
Alison put her hand over her eyes.
as II to shut out the sight OF the man
she had SO nearly married. and I fur
lively touched one Of the soft little
curls that nestled at the back Of her
neck.
when I was able to walk" went on
the sullen voice. Il came at once to
Washington. I tried to sell the notes
to Bronson, but he was almost at the
end OF his rope. Not even my threat
to send them back to you. Mr.. Blake
ley. could make him meet my figure.
He didn't have the money"
Mcknight was triumphant.
Il think you gentlemen will see rea-
son in my theory now" he said. Mrs.
Conway wanted the notes to force q
legal marriage. I supposer
Oes."
The detective with the small pack.
age carefully rolled Of the rubber
band. and unwrapped It held my
breath as he took out, first. the Russia
leather wallet.
These things. Mr.. Blakeley. we
found in the sealskin bag Mr.. Sullivan
says he left you. This wallet. Mr.. Sui
iivan-is this the one you found on the
floor OF the carr"
Sullivan opened It, and, glancing at
the name inside. "Simon Harrington"
nodded affirmatively.
And this" went on the detective
this is a piece of gold chain?"
1T seems to be-" said Sullivan. re-
coiling at the blood d.stained end.
This. believe. Is the dagger" He
held It up. and Alison gave a faint
cry OF astonishment and dismay. Sui
livan's face grew CHASTITY. and he sat
down weakly on the nearest chair.
The detective looked at him shrewd-
iy, then at Alison's agitated face.
where have you seen this dagger
before, young lady?" he asked, kindly
enough.
"Oh. don't ask mel" she gasped.
breathlessly, her eyes turned on Sui
livan. 'Tts-it's too terrible!"
Tell him." I advised. leaning over
to her. ut will be found out later,
anyhow"
ASK him." she said. nodding toward
Sullivan.
The detective unwrapped the small
box Alison had brought. disclosing the
trampled necklace and broken chain.
With clumsy fingers he spread 1t on
the table and fitted into place the bit
of chain. There could be no doubt
that Y belonged there.