Rocky Ford enterprise., 1911-03-24
CHAPTER xxx.-continued.


when did you find 1T" asked the
lean detective. bending forward.
''In the morning. not long before the
wreck" .- -
did you ever see 1t before?"
II am not certain" she replied. II
have seen one very much like It." Her
tone was troubled. She glanced at me
as II 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. ! glanced at Alison: she was pale
but composed and scornful. She met
the newcomers eyes full. and. caught
unawares. he took a hasty backward
step.
"Sit down. Mr.. Sullivan" Mcknight
beamed cordially. Have a cigar! i
beg your pardon. Alison, do you mind
this smoker"
mot ut ALL" she said composedly.
Sullivan had had \ second to sound
his bearings.
Mono. thanks" he mumbled. 'If
you will be good enough to EXPLAIN
But that's what you're to do" Nc
Knight said cheerfully. pulling up .
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 gentlemen from Pitts
burg are betting on Mr.. Blakeley. over
there. Mr.. Hotchkiss, the gentleman
by the radiator. is ready to place ten
to one odds on you. And some Of us
have still other theories"
Gentlemen" Sullivan said slowly.
IT give you my word Of honor that I
did not kill Simon Harrington. and
that I do not know who did"
"Ffddicdedee!" cried Hotchkiss.
bustling forward. why. I can tell
you" But Mcknight pushed him
firmly into chair and held him there.
"T am ready to plead guilty to the
larceny" Sullivan went on. Il took
Mr.. Blakeley's clothes, I admit. II
can reimburse him in any way for the
Inconvenience"
The stout detective was listening
with his mouth open. do you mean
to say" he demanded. that you got
into Mr. Blakeley's berth. as he con.
\ tends, took his clothes and forged
notes. and left the train before the
wreck?"
Yes"
The notes. them"
.I gave them to Bronson yesterday.
Much good they did him." bitterly.
We were all silent for a moment. The
two detectives we're adjusting them
selves with difficulty to a new point Of
view. Sullivan was looking detected
ly at the floor. his hands hanging
loose between his knees. was watch
ing Alison, from where I stood, be-
hind her. I could almost touch the
soft hair behind her ear.
'I have no intention Of pressing any
charge against you" said with forced
civility. for my hands were itching to
get at him, ''if you will give US a clear
account OF what happened on the On
tario that night"
Sullivan raised his handsome. hag-
gard head and looked around at me.
i've seen you before, haven't II" he
asked. Weren't you an unlimited
guest at the Laurels a few days-or
nights-ago? The cat, you remember.
and the rug that slipped?"
II remember" I said shortly. He
Glanced from me to Alison and quick
ly away.
THE truth can't hurt me-" he said.
but it's devilish unpleasant. Alison,
you know all this. You would better
70 out"
His use of her name crazed me. I
stepped in front Of her and stood over
him. "You will not bring Miss West
into the conversation" threatened.
land she win stay II she Wishes"