The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1911-09-15
CHAPTER XV.-contInued.

AS we turned the corner I glanced
back. Half block behind us John.
son was moving our way SLOWLY.
When he saw me he stopped and pro-
ceeded with great deliberation to light
a cigar. By hurrying, however he
caught the car that we took, and stood
unobtrusively on the rear platform.
| He looked tagged, and absent-minded.
ly paid our fares. to Meningitis de-
light.
I'VE will give him a run for his
money" he declared, as the car moved
countryward Conductor, let us off
at the muddiest lane you can find"
At one o'clock, after a six-miIe ram
BILE, we entered a small country hotel.
We had seen nothing Of Johnson for a
half hour. At that time he was a
quarter of a mile behind US, and losing
rapidly. Before we had finished our
luncheon he staggered into the inn.
One of his boots was under his arm.
and his whole appearance was deplor-
able. He was coated with mud, streak.
ed with perspiration, and he limped
as he walked. He chose a table not
far from us and ordered Scotch. Be-
yond touching his hat he paid no at
tention to us.
I'm just getting my second wind"
Mcknight declared. How do you feel
Mr.. Johnson? Six or eight miles more
and Well all enjoy our dinners" John
son put down the glass he had raised
to his lips without replying.
The fact was, however, that l was
like Johnson. l was soft from my
weeks inaction, and was pretty we'll
zone up. Mcknight, who was we'll
spring of vitality and high spirits, or
dered strange concoction, made of
nearly everything in the bar, and sent
it over to the detective, but Johnson
refused it.
Il hate that kind Of person." Nc
knight said pettishly. Kind of fell
low that thinks you're going to poison
his dog if you offer him bone"
When we got to the car line, with
Johnson a draggled and dropping tail
had told Mcknight the story of the
three hours just after the wreck; l
had not named the girl, of course; she
had my promise Of secrecy. But told
him everything else. 1t was relief
to have a fresh mind on it, had puz-
zled so much over the incident at the
farmhouse, and the necklace in the
gold bag, that l had lost perspective.
He had been interested, but inclined
TO be amused, until l came to the
broken chain. Then he had whistled
softly.
but there are tons of fine gold
chains made every year." he said
why in the world do you think that
the-er-smeary piece came from
that necklace?"
had looked around. Johnson was
far behind, scraping the mud off his
feet with piece of stick.
q have the short end of the chain
in the seaIskin bag" reminded him.
when couldn't sleep this morning |
thought would settle it, one way or
the other. 1t was hell to go along the
way | had been doing. And-there's
no doubt about 1t, Rich. It's the same
chain"
We walked along in silence until
we caught the car back to town.
WELL" he said finally, you know
the girl, of course, and l don't But
If you like her-and l think myself
you're rather hard hit, old mani
wouldn't give a whoop about the chain
in the gold purse. It's just one OF the
little condolences that hang people
now and then. And as for last night
If she's the kind of a girl you say
she is, and you think she had any
thing to do with that, you-you're
added. that's all. You can depend
on 1t, the lady of the empty house last
week is the lady of last night. And
yet your train acquaintance was IN
Altoona at that time"
Just before we got off the car, l re-
verified to the subject again. 1t was
never far back in my mind.
about the-young lady of the train,
Rich" | said, with what l suppose was
elaborate carelessness, Il don't want
you to get a wrong impression. l am
rather unlikely to see her again. but
even if | do, II believe she Is az.
ready bespoke, or next thing t0 It,
He made no reply, but as opened
the door with my latch-key Ne
stood looking up at me from the pave
ment with his quizzical smile.
Love is like the measles. ne ora'-