The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1911-12-15
CHAPTER xxx.-.contInued,

when did You find III" asked the
lean detective. bending forward,
In the morning, not long before the
wreck
Did you ever see Il before?''
7 am not certain" she replied. II
haye seen one very much like H." Her
tone was troubled, She glanced az me
as if for help. but | was powerlesa.
eWaere2" The detective was watch.
ing her closely.
Az that moment there came an in
corruption The door opened without
ctfemouy. and Johnson ushered In a
tall, blonde man. stranger to all of
us ! glanced at Alison. she was pale
but composed and scornful. she met
Che newcomers eyes full, and. caught
unnwares, he took hasty backward
step,
"sit down, Mr., Sullivan" Mcknight
hcamed cordially. "Haye cigar? I
beg your pardon, Alison, DO you mind
this smoker"
Not at all" sho said composedly.
Sullivan had had second to sound
hts bearings.
Mono, thanks no mumhled, 'If
you VIII be good enough to explain"
@But that's what you're to do" Nc
Knight said cheerfully, pulling up a
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 inner details of what happened on
the car Ontario two weeks ago. the
aight your fathsrin.law was muir.
dered.s sullivan gripped the arms OF
his chair, we are not prejudiced,
either. The gentlemen from pitts.
burg are betting on Mr., Blakeley. over
there, MIR. Hotchkiss. the gentleman
By the radiator, Is ready TO place ten
Go one odds on you. And some of US
have still other theories
Gentlemen" Sullivan said slowly,
4 give you my word OF honor that I
dld not kill Simon Harrington. and
that ! do not know who did"
-Fiddlededee," cried Hotchkiss,
busting forward. why, [ can tell
yon," but Mcknight pushed him
firmly into q chair and held him there.
Z am ready 10 plead guilty TO the
larceny" Sullivan went on. II took
Mr. Blakeley's clothes. | admit. If
can reimburse him in any way for the
Inconvenience"
Tho stout detective was listening
with his mouth open. 1Do you mean
t0 say" he demanded, that you rot
into Mr.. Biakeley's berth. as he con
tends. took his clothes and forged
notes, and left the train before the
wreck"
YES"
~rhe notes. them"
4 gave them 10 Bronson yesterday
Much good they did hint" bitterly.
We we're all silent for moment. The
two detectives were adjusting them.
selves with dificulty to a new point OF
view. Sullivan was looking detected.
y at the floor. HIS hands hanging
loose between his knees, I was watch.
inE Alison. from where I stood. be-
hind her. | could almost touch the |
soft hair behind her ear.
Il have no intention OF pressing any |
charge against you" said with forced |
Eiyility, for my hands were itching 10 |
get at him. III you win give us clear
account Of what happened on the On.
kario that night"
Sullivan raised his handsome, bag.
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
ntghts-ago? The cat. you remember,
and the rug that slippedg"
= remember" l said shortly. He
glanced from me to Alison and quick
" away.
The truth can't hurt me-" he said,
but fits devilish unpleasant. Alison.
you know all this. You would bette
10 OUT"
His use of her name crazed me. III
stepped in front of her and stood over
Atn. you win not bring Miss West
'atos the conversation" l threatened,
land she will stay II she wishes"