"Next car's caught the disease," he grumbled. "Doctor, a woman back
there has got mumps or bubonic plague, or something. Will you come
back?"

The strange porter stood aside.

"Lady about the middle of the car," he said, "in black, sir, with
queer-looking hair--sort of copper color, I think, sir."



CHAPTER V

THE WOMAN IN THE NEXT CAR


With the departure of the conductor and the doctor, the group around
lower ten broke up, to re-form in smaller knots through the car.
The porter remained on guard. With something of relief I sank into
a seat. I wanted to think, to try to remember the details of the
previous night. But my inquisitive acquaintance had other
intentions. He came up and sat down beside me. Like the conductor,
he had taken notes of the dead man's belongings, his name, address,
clothing and the general circumstances of the crime. Now with his
little note-book open before him, he prepared to enjoy the minor
sensation of the robbery.

"And now for the second victim," he began cheerfully. "What is your
name and address, please?" I eyed him with suspicion.