Mountain Home maverick. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1906-1911, 1911-08-03
CHAPTER vI-continued.


me, but it makes a good story. You
see"
At that moment the conductor and
porter ceased their colloquy. The con-
ductor came directly toward me. tug
ging as he came at his bristling gray
mustache.
Il would like to talk to you In the
car" he said to me, with a curious
glance at the young lady.
Cant it waltz" / objected. I'VE
are on our way to cup of coffee and
are powerful"
I'm afraid the breakfast will have
to wait" he replied. Il won't keep
you long" There was a note Of au-
thority in his voice which resented;
but, after all. the circumstances were
unusual.
Wen have to defer that cup of
coffee for a WHILE" said to the girl;
but don't despair; there's breakfast
somewhere"
AS we entered the car, she stood
aside. but l felt rather than saw that
she followed u.s. l was surprised to
see half dozen men gathered around
the berth IL which l had wakened,
number seven It had not yet been
made up.
AS we passed along the aisle, was
conscious of new expression on the
faces of the passengers. The tall wom-
an who had tainted was searching my
face with narrowed eyes, while the
stout woman of the kindly heart
avoided my gaze, and pretended to
look out of the window
AS we pushed our way through the
group l fancied that It closed around
me ominously. The conductor said
nothing, but led the way without cere-
mony to the side of the berth.
Whats the matter?" l inquired.
was puzzled, but not apprehensive.
Have you some of my things? I'd be
thankful even for my shoes; these are
confoundedly tight"
Nobody spoke, and l fell silent. TOO.
For one of the pillows had been turned
over, and the under side of the white
case was streaked with brownish
stains. I think It was a perceptible
time before I realized that the stains
were blood. and that the faces around
were filed with suspicion and dis
trust.
why, it--that looks like blood"
said vacuously. There was an inces-
SAINT pounding in my ears, and the
conductors voice came from far off.
1T is blood" he asserted griply.
looked around with a dizzy at
tempt at nonchalance. Even If it is"
1 demonstrated, surely you don't sup
pose for a moment that / know any
thing about it,"
The amateur detective elbowed his
way in. He had a scrap Of transpar-
ent paper in his hand, and a pencil.
Il would like permission to trace
the stains" he began eagerly. Also"
Ito me-"if you will kindly jab your
finger with a -needle-anything
If you don't keep out of this the
conductor said savagely, Il will do
some jabbing myself. AS for you,
sir" he turned to me. was abb
solutely innocent, but knew that
presented a typical picture of guilt;
was covered with cold sweat, and the
pounding in my ears kept up dizzily.
AS for you, sir"
The irrepressible amateur detective
made a quick pounce at the pillow and
pushed back the cover. Before our in
credulous eyes he drew out a narrow
steel dirk which had been buried to
the small cross that served as a head.
There was a chorus Of voices
around, a quick surging forward of
the crowd So that was what had
scratched my hand I buried the
wound in my coat pocket.
Well" ! said, trying to speak natur-
ally. doesn't that prove what have
been telling you? The man who com
mitted the murder belonged to this
berth, and made an exchange In some
way after the crime How do you
know he didn't change the tags so
would come back to this berth?" This
was an inspiration; was pleased
with It. That's what he did. he
changed the tags" I reiterated.
There was a murmur Of assent
around The doctor, who was stand
ing beside me. put his hand on my
arm. If this gentleman committee
this crime. and I for one feel sure he
did not. then who is the fellow who
got away? And why did he go?"
we have only one mans word for
hat" the conductor snarled. I've trav-