The Coolidge examiner., 1932-03-04
The Men on the
Dead Man S Chest
by
Clifford Raymond
CwNu service.)
Copyright. The Bobbs-Merrill Co.
CHAPTER x-Continued

AS he walked through the train
shed toward the gate he decided to
stand there a moment and satisfy
himself as to Blair and Ashley. If
they were on the train Roberts
would have to be conceded some
thing more than agitated romano
ing. The lieutenant was not re-
Quired 10 wait. The two had pre-
ceded him, and they were waiting
at the gate.
Blair's expression was puzzled
when he saw only Stanton, but Ash
ley was grinning. The lieutenant,
seeing them. found that he was get
ting angry and was on the point Of
showing it. He stepped out of the
way of the stream of passengers and
stopped beside the two.
"Welcomo home, lieutenant" said
Ashley. Hardly expected to be
here before you. Didn't Mr.. Roberts
come with yOu?"
Il think I'll call the wagon for
you" said Stanton.
why, Lieutenant said Ashley.
"We're here to meet Uncle Hiram
Greene, of Oshkosh"
"Then you'd better go to the
North Western station"
"D-n you, Blair, you had to be
so cOck-sure. Here we are at the
wrong station"
"Oh, dry upw said Blair. "Who
is this cheap copper? On your way,
flatfoot."
Stanton lost his temper. He drew
his pistol. Blair started back, but
Ashley continued TO grin. People
nearby stumbled and pushed back
out of the way. A few women cried
out. A station policeman hurried
up.
I'm Lieutenant Stanton, of East
Chicago Avenue. Call a wagon for
these men,"
'Blair," said Ashley, sometimes
you're certainly an awful d-n
fool"
III break you for this" said
Blair to Stanton.
IN Chicago?" said Stanton, amused
again. big boy, just now you're
one of two vagrants. l may give
you murder charge later. Any
way, Roberts gets a break"
He'll need it." said Ashley ami
ably.
He was grinning when Stanton
left him and Blair at the detec-
tive bureau. The mans amuse-
ment was not feigned. Blair hav-
ing made fool of himself, Ashley.
although he was in no better case
than the other, was enjoying it.
He couldn't win." said Ashley,
''but thing like that never stops
the big boy. Lieutenant, you'll love
him when you know him better, but
you'll have to protect him from
Roberts. I'll never be able to-"
Stanton went directly to the
states attorneys Office in the Grim
inal Court building. Corvaleski had
just come in, and Horde, the first
assistant, entered the room before
they had sat down.
Telegram just came for you,
Lieutenant" he said, holding out a
yellow envelope, from some one
who thought of addressing you
here"
Stanton opened and read:
Decided best TO leave you. Am
indebted TO you for consideration
and kindness. Am playing the game
safe and will win. r."
The telegram had been sent from
Elkhard. Ind
That's where he left the train,
said the lieutenant, laying the pa
per in front of the states attorney
Who is r? And why did he leave
the train?"
''R is Roberts He is one of the
three survivors of the Turner will
He left the train while | was sleep
ing, to get away from Blair anC
Ashley. the other two survivors
They have him marked for number
four. They were on the train. They
are over at the bureau now. That.
what | came TO talk to you about
1t will all seem crazy TO you, but II
tell it as it happened. First I'd sug
geSt you have Mr.. Horde telephone
the bureau to send over exhibits A
and b. You might do well to- tall
TO them"
DO that, Horde, will you? Spir
your yarn. Lieutenant"
For a half-hour Stanton gave {
concise narrative.
And there you are" he conclud
ed. I've always told you | WA:
no detective. I've got my birds anC
no cage. I've just let man sliI
me. He's lodging his own murder
I've got murderer, or two of them
and we can't lay finger on them
A sergeant came to the door Il
say that the bureau had sent owe
the two men.
Bring them in," said the statet
attorney.
Blair and Ashley were handcuffeC
TO each other when they wer,