Charlevoix county herald., 1911-01-28
CHAPTER XXx.-Continued.

when did you find it?" asked the
ionn detective, bending forward.
In the morning, not long before the
wreck
Did you ever see it before?"
i am not certain" she replied. -
have seen one very much like it," Her
tone was troubled. She glanced at me
as if for help, but | was powerless.
'Where?" The detective was watch
ing her closely.
At that moment there came an in
terruption. The door opened without
ceremony. and Johnson ushered in a
tall, blonde man, a stranger to all of
us. I glanced at Alison; she was pale
but composed and scornful She met
the 1kwcomer's eyes full, and, caught
uns res he took hasty backward
step
Sit down, Mr.. Sullivan" Mcknight
beamed cordially. Have a cigar? |
beg your pardon, Alison, do you mind
this smoke?"
''lgot at ALL she said composedly
Sullivan had had a second to sound
his bearings.
Mono. thanks" he mumbled. IF
You will be gC"d 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 car 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 .geptlemen from Pitts
bur Sre -tetnng on Mr.. Blakeley, over
there. Mr.. Hotchkiss, the gentleman
by the radiator, is ready to place ten
20 one odds on you. And some of us
have still other theories"
Gentlemen" Sullivan said slowly,
81 give you my word of honor that
did not kill Simon Harrington, and
that ! do not know who did"
"Fiddlededee!" cried Hotchkiss,
bustling forward. why, | can tell
YOU" But Mcknight pushed him
5irmly into a chair and held him there.
1T am ready to plead guilty to the
larceny" Sullivan went on. Il took
Mr.. Blakeley's clothes, | admit If
can 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
IDlolyn1nxyfe horth ha
tends, took his clothes and forged
notes. and left the train before the
wreck?"
Yes"
THE notes, them"
II gave them to Bronson yesterday
Much good they did him" bitterly
We Mere all silent for moment. The
two tetectives were adjusting them
selvY with difficulty to new point oi
view. Sullivan was looking detected
" at the floor. his hands hanging
loose between his knees. | was watch
ing Alison, from where | stood. be
hind her. could almost touch the
soft hair behind her ear.
Il have no intention of pressing any
charge against you" said with forced
civility, for my hands were itching tC
get at him, "if you will give us clear
aAAnnt of what happened on the On
tSYio that night"
Sullivan raised his handsome, hag
gard head and looked around at me
"Tve seen you before, haven't II" h'
asked. Weren't you an uninviteC
ruest at the Laurels n few days-ol
nights-ago? The cat, you remember
and the rug that sIipped?'
'I remember" ! said shortly. III
glanced from me to Alison and quick
lytYvay.
S'he truth can't hurt me-" he said
"but it's devilish unpleasant. Alison
YOU know all this. You would bette
go out
His use of her name crazed me.
stepped in front of her and stood owe
MIN. You will not tring Miss Yves
into the conversation" | threatened
sand she will stay If she wishes"