the loss of the notes meant was fast crowding the murder

bags with gold mountings to the wicker nondescripts of the day coach at the rear. I was not alone in my quest, for the girl in blue was just ahead of me. Car by car she preceded me through the train, unconscious that I was behind

us the track curved sharply; the early sunshine threw the train, in long black shadow, over the hot earth

wish you would let me try to help. Not th

I have not been robbed, if that is what you mean,"

mbers of the train crew, including the conductor, were standing in the shadow talking. And at that moment, from a farm-ho

car on. If I remember my youth, that bell means ham and eggs

up of coffee-dear me, I believe I am hungry,"

suggested, without enthusiasm. B

e is very-well, I know she wouldn't come.

y. "Any old train would be better than

xpression. I had spoken two dozen words to her and already I felt that I knew the lights and shades in her v

where the conductor and the porter from our car were in close conversation. Instin

aid. "I have a big cousin who smokes a

st commonplace action had an extraordinary result: the girl beside

nded, with a catch in her voice; her

I asked, holding out the case. "It's frightfully b

ir colloquy. The conductor came directly toward me

the car," he said to me, with a

ur way to a cup of coffee and a slice of

n't keep you long." There was a note of authority in his voice

or a while," I said to the girl; "but don

he followed us. I was surprised to see a half dozen men gathered around t

sengers. The tall woman who had fainted was searching my face with narrowed eyes, while t

closed around me ominously. The conductor said nothing,

t apprehensive. "Have you some of my things? I'd be th

e of the white case was streaked with brownish stains. I think it was a perceptible time before I re

sly. There was an incessant pounding in my ear

d," he asse

"Even if it is," I remonstrated, "surely you don't

way in. He had a scrap of transpar

he began eagerly. "Also"-to me-"if you will kin

ou, sir-" he turned to me. I was absolutely innocent, but I knew that I presented a typical picture of

pushed back the cover. Before our incredulous eyes he drew out a narrow

ng forward of the crowd. So that was what had scra

elonged to this berth, and made an exchange in some way after the crime. How do you know he didn't change the tags so I would c

ut his hand on my arm. "If this gentleman committed this crime, and I for one

uctor snarled. "I've traveled some in these cars

t hereafter he would travel by daylight. I gla

low, but I heard her distinctly. "Don't tak

" I observed meekly, over the crowd.

his note-book again. "Your na

Blakeley,

occupa

of the firm of Bla

the wrong berth and have been robbed. Do

eft behind," I answe

k suspicion. "Isn't that rather a

this kind of a necktie? Do you suppose I carry purple and green barred silk hand

liar position," he said. "I have only your word as to the exchange of berths, an

ir contents, which he noted. "Is that all

thi

the porter, stepping forward. "T

"I forgot the bag. I don

f a jury, seeing them swing from doubt to belief, and back again to doubt, that I instinctively

t-another dubious circumstance. Was I hiding it? It was brought to

arf, and a safety razor. But the attention of the crowd riveted itself on a flat, Russia leather wallet