Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1923-02-15
CHAPTER vii


Suspicion Fsstens on Eaton.
Eaton found his car better fllet
than 1t had been before, for the people
shifted from the car behind had beer
scattered through the train. Keeping
himself TO his section. he watched the
car and outside the windows for
signs Of what investigation Connery
and Avery were making. Whoever
had attacked Santoine must still be
upon the train. for no one could have
escaped through the snow. No one
could escape. Avery and Connery
and whoever else wns making investi-
gatioon with them evidently were not
letting anyone know that an lnvesti-
cation was being made. Eaton went
to lunch: on his way back from the
diner. he saw the conductors with pa
pers In their hands questioning a pas
senger. They evidently were starting
Systematically through the cars. exam
lining each person they were making
the plea of necessity Of a report to
the railroad offices of names and adj
dresses of all held up by the stoppage
Of the train.
Eaton started on toward the rear
of the train.
"a moment. slri" Connery called.
Eaton halted. The conductor con-
fronted him.
"Your name. sir?" Connery asked.
phillip ID. Eaton"
Connery wrote down the answer.
"Your address?"
"I-have no address. / was going
to a hotel In Chicago-which one |
hadn't decided yet"
where are you coming 'FRONT.'"
"From Asia"
That's hardly an address, Mr.. Ea-
ton ="
Il can give you no address abroad.
| had no fixed address there. i was
travelling most OF the time. / arrived
in Seattle by the Asiatic steamer and
took this train"
"Ahl you came on the Tamba
Maru.'
Connery made note OF this. as he
had made note of all the other ques-
tions and Then he said
something TO the Pullman conductor,
who replied In the same low tone;
what they said was not audible to
Eaton.
you can tell us at least where
your family is. Mr.. Eaton,' Connery
suggested.
II have no family"
Friends, Them"
II have no friends
"Nowhere7"
Nowhere
Connery pondered for several mo-
ments. THE Mr.. HiIlward-Law-
renee Hillward. TO whom the telegram
was addressed which you claimed
this morning. your associate who was
to have taken this train with you
Will you give me his address?" 8
Il don't know HilIward's address,"
"Give me the address. then, Of the
who sent the telegram"
II am unable TO do that, either"
Connery spoke again to the Pullman
conductor, and they conversed inau-
dibly for a minute. "That is all,
lucHg (pulicty SHfN uudli1s
He signed his name to the sheet
on which he had written Eaton's an
swers. and handed 1t TO the Pullman
conductor, who also signed II and re
1t TO him then they went on +
% the passenger now occupying See
ion -Four. without making n fur
her comment.
Eaton told himself that there should
,e no danger TO himself from this In
JURY, directed against no one, but
including Complementary everyone
IN the train. When the conductors
lad left the car. he put his magazine
way and went into the mems com
'artment to smoke and calm his
Ieryes. His return TO America had 9
'assed the bounds Of reckIessness ; 4
nd what a situation he would now be
II his actions brought ever serious .
uspicions against himl He finished q
is first cigar and was debating
to light another. when he
card voices outside the car, and =
the window and looking out. /
c saw Connery and the brakeman r
through the snow and max
~. apparently. some search. Pres n
ntly Connery passed the door Of the
,mpartment carrying something
'oseiy wrapped In o newspaper In
Is hands. Eaton finished bis cigar L
went back to his seat IN the car
As he glanced at the seat where
, had Left his locked travelling bag