He lost no time, and as his form disappeared over the ledge of the porch I fired a shot into the air.
This of course brought the landlord and several guests to my door, which I opened in response to repeated knockings.
I was very much excited, apparently, and called out, “There, see, there he goes.” The crowd of half-dressed men and women rushed to the window and gave me a chance to close the bathroom door. Heavens, but I did breathe more easily! The escape was a narrow one, but I succeeded in allaying suspicion by saying that the man had attempted burglary, and as I shot he jumped from the roof.
The figure of a running man was discernible in the darkness when they were at the window, which had the effect of verifying my explanations.
After they had gone the landlord offered me the use of another room, which I, of course, declined.
Now my real hard work was to begin. The man was apparently satisfied that I had told the truth, yet he had a suspicious look which I did not like.
As early as possible in the morning, I packed my own trunk with the lead pipe, and to leave that of the fictitious Harvey, while I took my dead friend from his frigid resting place, and repacked him in the new trunk. Upon going to breakfast, I explained that I must go to a place which was somewhat distant, on the early train; but would leave my friend’s trunk in the room, as he was expected at any time.
Therefore I had the porter take the newly-packed trunk to the station, where he bought me a ticket and had the trunk checked to my pretended destination.
I timed myself to get to the station just as the train was going out, and as the coast seemed clear, I boarded the smoker.
I knew if the detective missed me, he would go at once to the hotel, and if he found my trunk there he would naturally wait around for an hour or so, thus giving me a pretty good start of him.