New Britain herald., 1924-01-18
NOW co ON WITH THE STORY

l had altogether lost track of her. After moment, a policeman who was standing by gate. considered me with a suspicious air. ] had raveled my hair, so that it stood on end. The policeman was still watch ing me with interest. IL was ob- yious that 1 could not stay in the middle Of the road like this unless I wanted him to think me drunk. For moment 1 thought l would tell him about the coronet. But what could policeman say if hatless man, in the middle of the road told him that a girl who wasn't there had got hold of baby with corouet on its clothes, a baby that wasn't there either? He'd be certain 10 think me drunk. So, attempting all the dignity a man can acheive when he has lost his hat, I walked away 10 Elgin avenue, pretending 10 be busy
 l got home somehow. little later, unfortunately in another taxi. so that I did not recover my hat I had a cold bath. as a result Of which I felt much hotter, and more confused T self unable to sleep. All the little incidents Of that night crowded upon me; the girls confused references to her father and her stepmother, the fact that she was living alone and yet took her sisters baby 10 live with her when she could leave it where she had found ii. the obvious commences of her voice. and it's contrast with the baby's beautiful clothing, her nervous excitement, her state almost Of palsy, as if she had been frightened, or was hunted, when she came back with the child. her rapid flight, the blaukness into which she had vanished. an this combined. By degrees it piled up into certainty that my wanderer if the night had stolen n child. and that I had assisted her. Then my confused state of mind became com picated by the realization that babies with coronets on their clothes are not generally found in houses on Guelf street l saw myself !n the middle of a burlesque rather than a melo- drama ~'ut the haby did not have a coronet on it's clothes. Perhaps 1t had been stolen that day, and Rhoda was the person to afford it deeper concealment. Then I remembered my hat and horror fell over me like a mufling sheet. What was going fo happen? If that baby was im- portant, hunt would take place. Probably. the taxi man would read in the papers an account Of the steal inf from Guef street. He would rec member the girl, the baby .. and me. And my hat. within the lining. bore my name and address How was I going to explain that vas no accessory 10 the crime? had visions of a prosecution: of myself. if not going to Jail. al least socially compromised.
 There was no question Of sleep now. ] turned about and abeu ut upon ms burning bed. at one moment A crlmi- nal at another an outcast I even had beautiful serene mood when saw myself going to the police sta- ton and offering myself up. And I loathed myself for having been such a fool and left my hat behind. sev- erai times I resolved in future to go to bed every night at halr past ten. But all this did not give me back my fatal hat. Thus. at half past five. completely exhausted, got up. dressed. out Of habit shaved. thrust ing away the idea Of cutting my throat. r did not at all know what l wanted to do. I mainly wanted to get out and think.
 went out into Inc cool morning that was golden and radiant with summer. The streets were white and lovely. as they arc at that hour. l walked through the pretty desert Of Mayfair into the park. where for while I sat on a bench. But | was too restless and after while went on. stiH through the parks. It was nearly a quarter 10 seyen now: ! realized with a shock that was ire stinctiveiy moving toward Gueif street. like q murderer drawn to the scene of his crime.
 When ] reached tho fatal coruer instinct seemed 10 guide mo: thouzh the light shoaid hate deceived nv eyes. ] knew exactly where Ehoda had gone. Y was usi there. thirt. yards along. on the right. 10 a very