The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1911-12-08

an oldish man, lean and hard, an
nounced his errand at once.
"A PIttsbnrg warrant" inquired.
unlocking my cigar drawer.
Yes. Allegheny county has as
sumed Jurisdiction, the exact locality
where the crime was committed being
in doubt" He seemed to be the
spokesman. The other, shorter and
rotund, kept an amiable silence. I'VE
hope you will see the wisdom of waiv-
ing extradition," he went on. 1T will
save time"
iii come, of course" agreed.
THE sooner the better. But ! want
you to give me an hour here, gentle
men. / think we can interest you.
Have a cigar?"
The lean man took cigar; the ro-
tund man took three. putting two in
his pocket.
How about the catch of that door,"
he inquired joyially Amy danger Of
1t going Off again?" Really, consider
ing the circumstances, they were re-
markably cheerful Hotchkiss, how
ever, was not. He paced the floor I'M
easily, his hands under his coat-tails.
The arrival of Mcknight created a di-
version; he carried long package
and a corkscrew, and shook hands
with the police and opened the bottle
with single gesture.
Il always want something to cheer
on these occasions" he said. Where's
the water, Blakeley? Everybody
ready?" Then in French he toasted
the two detectives.
ITO your eternal discontinue" he
said, bowling tremendously. May
you go home and never, come back!
II you take Monsieur Blakeley with
you. | hope you choke"
The lean man nodded gravely.
"Prosit," he said. But the fat one
leaned back and laughed consumedly
Hotchkiss finished a mental synop-
sis of his position, and put down his
glass. Gentlemen" he said pompous-
ly, within five minutes the man you
want will be here, murderer caught
in a net of evidence so fine that a
mosquito could not get through"
The detectives glanced at each 9TH
er solemnly. Had they not in their
possession a sealskin bag containing
wallet and bit of gold chain, which
by putting the crime on me, would
leave gap big enough for Sullivan
himself to crawl through?
Why don't you say your little
speech before Johnson brings the 9th.
er man, Lawrence?" Mcknight in.
quired. "They won't believe you, but
1t will help them to understand what
is. coming"
You understand, of course" the
lean man put in gravely, that what
you say may be used against YOU"
"Ill take the risk" | answered i'm.
patiently.
II took some time to tell the story
of my worse than useless trip to Pitts
burg, and it's sequel. They listened
grayely, without interruption.
Mr.. Hotchkiss here" | finished,
believes that the man Sullivan, whom
we are momentarily expecting, com.
mitted the crime. MIR. Mcknight is
inclined to implicate Mrs. Conway,
who stabbed Bronson and then her.
self last night. AS for myself, | am
open to conviction"
Il hope not" said the stout detec.
tive quizzically, And then Alison was
announced. My impulse to go out
and meet her was forestalled by the
detectives, who rose when l. did. Nc.
Knight, therefore, brought her in, and
| met her at the door.
Il have put you to great deal of
trouble" | said contritely, when I saw
her glance around the room. 81 wish
had not"
1T is only right that should come"
she replied. looking up at me. 81 am
the unconscious cause of most of 1t,
| am afraid. Mrs. Dallas is going to
wait in the outer Office
| presented HotchEiss and the two
detectives, who eyed her with inter.
est. In her poise, her beauty. even In
her gown, | fancy she represented a
new type to them. They remained
standing until she sat down.
Il have brought the necklace" she
began, holding out a white-wrapped
box, las you asked me to-"
] passed 1t, unopened, to the detec.
tives. The necklace from which was
broken the fragment you found in the
sealskin bag" explained. Miss
West found it on the floor of the car.
near lower ten"
ITO BE CONTINIJEDN