The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1911-02-02
CHAPTER Xll-Continued.

And there was no one | could talk
to about it, no one to tell me how
hideOusly absurd it was, no one to
give me a slap and tell me there are
tons of fine gold chains made every
year, or to point out the long arm of
coincidence,
With my one useful hand | fun
bled the things back into the bag and
thrust it deep out of sight among the
pillows. Then l lay back in a cold
perspiratiOn. What connection had
Alison West with this crime? Why
had she stared so at the gun-metaI Gig
arctic case that morning on the train?
What had alarmed her so at the farm
house? What had she taken back to
the gate? Why did she wish she had
not escaped from the wreck? And
last, in heavens name, how did a part
OF her necklace become torn off and
covered with blood?
Downstairs Mcknight was still at
the telephone, and amusing himself
with Mrs. Klopton in the interval of
waiting
Why did he come home in a gray
suit, when he went away in blue?"
he repeated. Well wrecks are queer
things, Mrs. Klopton. The suit may
have turned gray with fright Or per-
haps wrecks do as queer stunts as
lightning Friend of mine once was
struck by lightning; he and the caddy
had taken refuge under tree After
h.,
sciousness, there was my friend in the
Caddy's clothes, and the caddy in his.
And as my friend was a large man
ard the caddy very small boy"
Meningitis story was interrupted
by the indignant slam Of the dining
room door. He was obliged to wait
some time, and even his eternal cheer
fulness was ebbing when he finally got
the hospital
is DR.. Van Kirk there" he asked.
Not there? Well, can you tell me
how the patient is whom Dr. Williams,
from Washington, operated on last
night? Well, I'm glad Of that. Is she
conscious? Do you happen to know
her name? Yes, I'll hold the line"
There was a long pause. then Nc
knights voice:
"Hello-yes. Thank you very much.
Good-by."
He came upstairs, two steps at a
time
Look here" he said, bursting into
the room, there may be something
In your theory, after all. The woman's
name-it may be a coincidence, but
It's Curious-her name is Sullivan"
What did tell you?" | said, sitting
up suddenly in bed. She's probably
sister of that scoundrel in lower
seven and she was afraid of what he
might do"
"Confound this arm" | said, paying
for my energy with some excruciating
throbs. There's so much to be look
ed after, and here l am, bandaged,
sp!intered, and generally useless. It's
a beastly shame"
Don't forget that | am here" said
Mcknight pompously. And another
thing, when you feel this way just re-
member there are two less desirable
places were you might be. One is
Jail, and the other is" He strummed
on an imaginary harp. with devotional
eyes.
But Meningitis light-heartedness
Jared on me that morning. | lay and
frowned under my helplessness. When
by chance | touched the little gold
bag, it seemed to scorch my fingers.
Richey, finding me unresponsive, left
to keep his luncheon engagement with
Alison West. AS he clattered down
the stairs, l turned my back to the
morning sunshine and abandoned my
self to misery. BY what strain on her
frayed nerves was Alison West keep
Ing up, l wondered?
But Mcknight had not gone, after
all. / heard him coming back. his
voice preceding him, and l groaned
with irritation.
Wake up!" he called. Somebody's
sent you a lot of flowers. Please hold
the box, Mrs. Klopton; I'm going out
to be run down by an automobile"
l reused to feeble interest. My
brothers wife is punctilious about
such things; all the new babies in the