going to find him," I asserted, with a confidence I did not
feel. "We can produce at any time proof that a man left the Flier a few
miles beyond the wreck. And we can find him, I am positive."

"But you have not found him yet?" She was clearly disappointed. "Well,
so be it. Now for our bargain. You will admit that I am no fool."

I made no such admission, and she smiled mockingly.

"How flattering you are!" she said. "Very well. Now for the premises.
You take to Pittsburg four notes held by the Mechanics' National Bank,
to have Mr. Gilmore, who is ill, declare his indorsement of them forged.

"On the journey back to Pittsburg two things happen to you: you lose
your clothing, your valise and your papers, including the notes, and
you are accused of murder. In fact, Mr. Blakeley, the circumstances were
most singular, and the evidence--well, almost conclusive."

I was completely at her mercy, but I gnawed my lip with irritation.

"Now for the bargain." She leaned over and lowered her voice. "A fair
exchange, you know. The minute you put those four notes in my hand--that
minute the blow to my head has caused complete forgetfulness as to
the events of that awful morning. I am the only witness, and I will be
silent. Do you understand? They will call off their dogs."

My head was buzzing with the strangeness of the idea.

"But," I said, striving to gain time, "I haven't the notes. I can't give
you what I haven't got."

"You have had the case continued," she said sharply. "You expect to find
them. Another thing," she added slowly, watching my face, "if you don't
get them soon, Bronson will have them. They have been offered to him
already, but at a prohibitive price."

"But," I said, bewildered, "what is your object in coming to me? If
Bronson will get them anyhow--"

She shut her fan with a click and her face was not particularly pleasant
to look at.

"You are dense," she said insolently. "I want those papers--for myself,
not for Andy Bronson."

"Then the idea is," I said, ignoring her tone, "that you think you have
me in a hole, and that if I find those papers and give them to you you
will let me out. As I understand it, our friend Bronson, under those
circumstances, will also be in a hole."

She nodded.

"The notes would be of no use to you for a limited length of time,"
I went on, watching her narrowly. "If they are not turned over to the
state's attorney within a reasonable time there will have to be a nolle