The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1912-08-29

"AIy name Is Knox" ! said coolly-
John Knox"
Knox He snatched the candle
from me and. holding 1t up. searched
my face. "Then-good God-where is
my travelling bag? | am Harry War
drop. and have been robbed. Mr.. Knox.
was trying to get in the house with
out waking the family. and when
came back here to the front door. where
/ bad left my valise. it was gone. l
thought you were the thief when you
came out. and-we've lost all this time
Somebody has followed me and robbed
mer'
What was in the bag?" / asked.
Valuable papers," be said shortly.
you are certain you left it here?"
where you are standing"
Something glistened beside the step.
and discovered a small brown leather
travelling bag. apparently quite new.
Here it is" said, not so gracious as
I might have been. | had suffered con
siderably for that travelling bag. The
sight of it restored Wardrop's poiSe.
by Jove, I'm glad to see it" he said
l can't explain. but tremendous things
were depending on that bag. Mr.. Knox.
/ don't know how TO apologize to you.
must have nearly Drained you"
"You did" said grimly. and gave
him the bag. The moment he took it |
knew there was something wrong. He
hurried into the house and lighted the
library lamp. Then he opened the trav-
cling bag with shaking fingers. 1t was
empty!
Its a trickr' he said furiously
You've hidden it somewhere. This is
not my bag. You've substituted one
just like it
Don't be fool" I retorted. "How
could | substitute an empty satchel for
yours when up TO fifteen minutes ago
had never seen you or your grip Ell
ther?"
He dropped into chair. and after
pause: Il was followed in Plattsburg
Two men watched me from the min
ute | got there on Tuesday. changed
my hotel. and for all OF yesterday
Wednesday. that isl felt secure
enough But on the way TO the train
felt that | was under surveillance
again. and by turning quickly | came
face to face with one of the men. ]
thought be was detective. You know
I've had a lot of that sort Of thing
lately. with election coming on. he
didn't get on the train. however"
But the other one may have done
So"
when we drew in at Beilwood sta
ton distinctly remember opening the
bag and putting my newspaper and
railroad schedule inside. 1t was the
right bag then. My clothing was in il
and my brushes.
had been examining the empty bag
as be talked.
where did you put your railroad
| asked
in the leather pocket at the side"
1T is here" | said. drawing out the
yellow folder. For moment my COM
panion looked almost haunted.
THE whole thing is impossible. That
yalise was heavy when | walked up
from the station. changed 1t from
one hand TO the other because of the
weight. When | got here set it down
on the edge OF the porch and tried the
door. When found 1t locked
But 1t wasn't locked" broke in.
when | came downstairs TO look for
burglar found it open at least an
inch"
He stopped in his pacing up and
down and looked at me curiously.
Were both crazy. then" be asserted
gravely. Il tell you'll tried every way
knew to unlock that door and could
hear the chain rattling. Unlocked!
You don't know the way this house is
up at night"
Nevertheless it was unlocked when
came down"
The sound OF smothered exclama-
lion from the doorway caused us both
TO turn suddenly. Standing there in
loose gown of some sort. very much
surprised and startled. was Margery
FLAMING