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About Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1903-1919 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 19, 1914)
TWENTY THE 8AXEM CAPIT AL JOURNAL, SALEM. OREOON, SATURDAY, PECEMBEK la, 1VU. 1 Hit The Secret of i Lonesome Cove I By Samuel llo)kins Adams I Copyright, 1912, by the Bobbj-Merrill Company f H CHAPTER IX. Cheater Kent Decline a Job. I HIS mcctlDg Is a fortunate chance for me," anld Blair presently. "Chance?" murmured Kent Interrogntlvely. The cnr swerved sharply, but Imme diately resumed the middle of the road. "Certainly, cham e," tuld the motor-1 1st, "Wfaut else should It be?" "Of course," agreed Kent. "As you ay." "1 said fortunate," continued the oth er, "because you are, I believe, the very man I want. There Is nu ufTalr which has been troubling iu a good dual. 1 haven't been able to loon Into It per sonally because of the serious Illness of my sou, who Is nt my place on Sun dayman's creek, lint It Is lu your line, being entomological and perhaps crim inal." "What Ib It?" asked Kent "An Inexplicable destruction of our stored woolens by the clot hen moth. You may perhaps know that I am president of the Klnselln mills. We've been having a great deal of trouble this spring, and our superintendent be lieves that sonic enemy Is Introducing the pest Into our warehouses. Will jou take the case?" "When?" "Start tonight for Connecticut." Chester Kent's long Augers went to the lobe on his ear. "Give ine until 3 'clock this afternoon to consider. Cod 1 reach you by telephone?" "Yes, at Hedgerow bouse, my place." "That Is how far from hero?" "fourteen miles. Rut you need not come there. 1 could return to the ho tel to conclude arrangements. And I think," be added significantly, "that you would Hud the project a prolltahle oue." "Doubtless. Are you wed ncqualnted with this part of the country, Mr lllalr?" "Yes; I've been coming here for years." "Is there an army post near by?" "Not within n hundred mlleB." "Nor any otlicers on special detail about?" "None so far ss I kuovf" Kent produced from his pocket the liver star with the shred of cloth i!nrrnif Bir y iPf I "Do yon get th agriculture depart ment publications?" "Yet." "Have you a pamphlet Issued by the bureau of entomology, Helmund on The Swarm Phenomenon In Lepidop- tera?'" "Yes, sir. .It was Inquired for only yesterday by Mr. Blair." "Ah, yesl He's quite Interested In ;he subject, 1 believe." "It must be quite recent, then," said the librarian. "We haven't seen him here for a long time until two days ago, when be came and put In a morn ing reading on Insects." "So, Mr. Alexander Blatr," said Kent, addressing the last fenco ppst on the outskirts of the town, after a tnougnt- ful walk, "that was a fatal break on your part, that mention of Helmund. Amateurs who bave wholly dropped a subject since years back don't usually know publications Issued only" within three months. That casual meeting with me was well carried out, and you culled It chance. A very palpably manufactured chance! But why am I worth so much trouble to know? And why does Alexander Blair leave a desperately ill son to arrange an er rand for me ut this particular time? And Is Hedgerow house, fourteen miles distant and possessing Just sucb an electric car as a woman would use In driving round the country, per haps the place whence came Sedg wick's sweet lady of mystery? Finally, what connection has nil this with the body lying In Annulaka burying ground?" Eliciting no reply from the fence post, Kent returned to the Eyrie, call ed up Hedgerow house and declined Illulr's proposition. Early that evening Francis Sedg wick came to the hotel, "Mr. Kent? I'm afraid you can't see him. sir. He luu't In his room," suld the clerk. "Isn't he about the hotel V" The clerk hesitated. "I ought not to tell you, Blr, for It's Mr. Kent's strict orders not to be disturbed, but he's In his special room. Is It any thing very Important? Any new evi dence or something of that sort?" "That Is what I want Mr. Keut to decide." "lu that case I might tako the re sponsibility. But 1 think I had bet ter take you to him myself." After thu elevator had carried them to the top of Its run, they mounted a lllght of stairs and walked to a far corner of the building. "Nobody's been in hero since he took It," explained the clerk as they walked. "Turned all the furniture out. Special lock ou the dour. Some kind of sclentltlc experiments, I suppose, lie's very quiet about It." Having reached the door, ho dls erectly tupped. No answer enme. Somewhat less timidity characterized his next effort. A growl of surpass ing savagery from within was his reward. "You see, Mr. Sedgwick," said the clerk. liaising his voice be culled. "Mr. Kent, I've brought" "Get away and go to the devil!" cried a rolce from Inside lu fury. "Whnt do you mean by" "It's I. Kent, Sedgwick. I've got to see yon." There was a Blleuce of some seconds. "What do yon wilut?" asked Keut at length. That's not Important, at least not now. nnniomsnessy.- ;... h. ifi-Hlne- ootliimr 1 wsa Oh, some rot about daring to follow . .. I over the place, 'I should hare known It her star and Olid happiness and that naturally pleased.' the rrong'man!" The half breed made no reply. 'And you, Sedgwick. Here's the de-1 il'liat'a m-lA fHon I am " IWinrTNn I. niit s lt-111 ..... i perhaps It might lead me to glory on u ' , ' , y- uu ,uu .u.. , ,.jIcn-9 , tne wick nun worn- .Th,L I tn otI,er- 1 ""P"058 he ttMJ to rfr i b'm?" . blood lu the mortar." sume bis gunnery at any time. "I suppose not," replied the artist -was the old boy a cannibal?" asked "Unless we can dlcourage him. as I ' lifelessly. Kcllt m,1MMi bv tho sea veteran's expect we can." "Since his design was only against nerolJ. "By having blm arrested?" your life and not against your pic- "illst us bad-slave trader " "Dlmcuitles niignt De put in our way. ture," commented Kent witn a suiue. ; ..,invc . eTcr Deen in t,c house?" Sheriff wn scmagcr ana tne oaii ureeu , "Well, our nigut a worn is aoue. un- . ..,,.,,. tne ,lue wuc it was Hogg's ... - ,, i fu,-aed 6i Tlcugcrbw "house. Gi1ru'"iis ' know him. but be bought a weevil, J ; given it, it presented biscuit there. A bad house, it Is-iot , n Mpect of h0Bel te.n,!?d;., ,.. .." I hospitable sweetness and quaintnes 1 "Wlinl wrniir with It 7 ' 1 . .. ... m " - n i i,n hfiirhnekn i riefi ineir noweia iu something. A kind of snort came from Kent "Where have my brains been?" be cried. He thrust the bit of embroid ery back luto bis pocket Then with an abrupt change of tone: "Well, Is your temper In hand?" "For the present" "Tell me about it, then." "You remember the the picture of the face?" said Sedgwick, with an ef fort. "Nobody would easily forget It" "I've been doing another portrait from the sketches. It was on opaque glass, an experimental medium that I've worked on some. I.ate this arter noou I went out, leaving the glass sheet, backed agnlust a light board, on my easel. The door was locked with a heavy spring. There's no pos sible access by tho window. Yet somebody came lu and smashed my picture to fragurents. If I can find that man, Kent, I'll kill him!" Kent glanced at the artist's long, strong hands. They were clinched on his knees. The lingers were bloodless. "1 believe you would," said the scien tist, with conviction. "You mustn't. you know. No luxuries at present. Anything else in your place damaged?' "Not that I noticed. But I didn't I pay much attention to anything else. I came here direct to llnd you." "That's right. Well, I'm with you for tho Nook." Locking his curious room after him. Kent led the way to the hotel lobby, where he stopped only long enough to send some telegrams. The sun was still n few minutes short of its setting wheu he nud his companion emerged from the hotel. Kent at once broke Into a trot. CHAPTER X. The Invasion. SUCII ruin as had been wrought in Sedgwick's studio was strict ly localized. The easel lay ou the tloor, with Its rear leg crum pled. Around it were scattered the fragments of the glass upon which the painter bad set his labor of love. A high old fashioned chair faced the wreckage. On Its peak was hung a traveling cap. Lopping across the back sprawled a Norfolk Jacket belong ing to Sedgwick. Chester Keut lifted the coat and alter a swift survey let It drop. "Did von leave that there?" he asked. "1 hung it ucross the back of the chair." Answered Sedgwick. "North window closed?" "Yes, as you see It now." "And west one open?" "Nothing has been changed, I tell you, except this." Sedgwick's band, outstretched toward the destroyed por trait condensed Itself Involuntarily Into a knoll V list. Sedgwick took the Norfolk Jacket from the chair. "Why, there's a hole tlirontrh it!" he exclaimed "Exactly. The path of tho Invader." "A bullet "Itlght again. Instead of murdering, as you pine to do, you've been murder ed. That the picture waa destroyed is merely a bit of III fortune. That you weren't Inside the coat when the : bullet went IhrougU It nnu cut me v .... ... . .. if . Droi from your easel Is a bit of the IUU lUll) lltC IU VVUIO ill Ui II. OUJ , " are In some aort of loose partnership In I Ing the lantern, he held it iu the fuce ; . ,,.h d() , n 1 I T S ' J tia li.l I fill .nr n.'wrl - sar. a i vv. ii -hi . . "Jim!" that the curse has come down with the of the half breed, l,TT..I., " , , I house and Is heavy on the new owner s "When you really want to know who , , made those footprints come and tell j ,. I understand; ,, ., , . .nu. . .l l,n.nrnhl. The Oil a 1 1 t llO t TBCC chin did' not quiver, lteaching for the f "Hogg's oldest sister was the grand fantern, Gansett Jim, now nine of In- mother of this young feller s mot her. diau to one of uegro. turned away rrom i ; Y"'". ,' ,. , itben, to the pathwi.y. "No," he said I "That s right. Wilfrid Blair s great i ,.,ii,iii grandmother." i As the flicker of radiance danced and i "And a bad 'tin. too. I guess,' I .llsMLnearod in the forest Sedgwick I lned the elder rellsuingiy ' spoke. "Well, do you consider tuai con we've made u friend?" "No." answered Chester Kent, "but we've done what's as good. We've I quashed an enmity. Don't you say It!" cried the old sea man. "The curse of tho blood was on her. Strange she was and beautiful, so mv mother used to tell mc, but not bad. She came lu at Lonesome Cove ! too." Answers to the telegrams viiesier ; -.... ... . .,... -. . ,...,. ,1,lti1,int K.., t..l .llsnatched arrived lu the! "THey never knew, une nay sue Mi.e,. -; . " ..f .ti.rltt- li.tti.rQ hi'incinc Infer- 1 WflS CUIIJL' JU. J- Hi:, Oil iu in imd V VII II li j smile In nt the old fashioned windows. : Here and there on the well kept lawn 1 peoides glowed, crlmsou and white. A ' great, clambering reso tree bud thrown t its arms around the square porch, ; softening the uncompromising angles ' Into curves of leafage and bloom, i Along the paths panties laughed all the sun. mid mignonette scattered Its4 scented summons to bee and butter- : fly. The place was a loved place; so much Kent felt with sineness of in dinct. No home blooms except by love. But tile bouse was dead. Its eyes were closed. Silence held it. The gar den buzzed and dickered with vivid L multlcolored life, but there was no j stir from the habitation of mini. Had r Its occupants descried II? ' t From the far side of 'the mansion r came the sound of a door opening and s closing again. Moving quickly along -the sumac fringed course or the creek, Kent made u dolour which gave him view of u side eiitrauco and had bare- t ly time .to efface himself In the shrub bei v wheu a light wagon, with a spir ited horse between tho shafts, turned . briskly out into tho rond. Kent, well . ihliig turned up." "So I did." sighed Kent "Well, chase that Infernal bellboy to tho stairs, and I'll let you lu." With a wry face the clerk retired. Kent opened the door and his friend squeezed through luto a bare room. The walls were bung and the floor was carpeted with white sheets. There waa no luriiiliiie of any kind unless a other kind. Hang up the coat, please. Sedgwick olieyod. "There," Raid Kent viewing the re mit from the window. "At it distance of. snv a quarter of a mile, that ar- ningeuient of coat and cap would look uncommonly like a man sitting In u chair before his work. At least I should think so. And yonder thicket on the hillside," he added, looking out million regarding the Iilalrs of Iledge 1 row house, not sufficient Informa i tion to satisfy the sucker, however, i Therefore, having digested their con ' touts at breakfast, the scientist cast 1 about him to supply the deilcieucy. j The feet of hope led hlin to the shop ;of Elder Ira Dennett. ! Besides being an able plumber and tinker. Elder Dennett performed, by j vocation, the pleasurable duties of un .printed Journtilism-tbnt Is to say, he ' was the semiofficial town gossip. ' There was Joy in the plumber-tinker's ii.u vult Tlitluinnilv It an- "Footprint toe email," grunted Ganiett, ' riJ tm Kent wns tlleve Bt,.ctly on '. .. 11.. .11.1 ...I.I. I.. (mIU ,f inisiness. no urn "i im v. this affair, as you know, Gansett .llin ' the mystery of Lonesomo Cove. He honestly thinks that you bad n band; wished bis acet.vleno lamp l!xed-at In the Lonesome Cove murder, as be once, if Elder Dennett pleased, believes It to be. It Isn't Impossible! Ciliim was the face of the elder as that the sheriff has subtly egged blm he examined the lump, which needed on to kill you In revenge. You're the ; very little attention. It lightened suspect and if you were put out of the) when his visitor observed: way every one would believe you the1 "l vo been thinking a little of gel- murderer. There would be a perfunc- ting an electric car to run about here tory Investigation, the whole thing n. There was a neat little one In would lie hushed up and the body In town yesterday. Annalakn churchynrd would rest In j "Old Blair's." replied Dennett. "1 pcace-presuniably a protltuble peace .gecn yon lu It. Know Mr. Blair long for the Bherlff." "Ho offered me a lift into town very Flat out, Kent, do you know who 'kindly. He was a stranger to me," the dead woman is?" said Kent truthfully and nllh Intent Flat out. I don't But I've a shrewd to deceive. "Who did you my he was?" guess that I'll llnd out before long." j "(Josh snkes! Don't you know who "From Gansett Jim?" Aleck Blair Is?" "No hope there. He's an Indian. ; "Blair? Blair?" said Kent Innocent What I'm going to see blm about now y. "Is ho the author of Blair's Is your safety." j 'Studies of Neuropterae?' " "Now? Where do you expect to find : Elder Dennett snorted, "ne's, n mil him?" .Ilonulrc. that's what lie is. Ain't you "In the village.! hope, 'it wouldn't rt,n,i ahout blm In tho fabric trust In do for you to come there. But 1 want I vesications?" you to go to the spot where you met ' "Oh, that Itlalr! Yes, I believe 1 the circus wagon man and wait until 1 have." brlngJIm." Kent yawned. It was a well con It was a long wait for the worried reived bit of strategy and met with urllst In the deep forest that bounded' deserved success, the lonely road along Hawklll heights. ! Ten o'clock had eliluied ncrosa tho bill from tho distant village when he heard footsteps and at n call from Kent step ped out Into thu clear, holding the Ian- The light showed a lic unci uiien. inic in, j nui: . ..., Th ,,nti i,i,.ht liniiv ! L'liinnse of the occupant, it was Ur Breed, rue nieuicai viiiecr munvu, ,in always, nerve beset, but there was a greedy smile on his lips. Kent's month puckered. He took a , deep breath of musical Inspiration mid exhaled It In painful nolselcssueas. flattening himself amid thu greenery as he saw a man emerge from the rear of Hedgerow bouse. The man was Gansett Jim. He carried a pick and a spade and walked slowly. Presently ho disappeared In the willow shaded place of mounds. The sound of his toll came, muffled, to (lie cars of the hid den man. Cautiously Kent worked his way, now lu the stream, now through the heavy growth on the bnnks, until he gained the roadway. Once there he went forward to the front gate or Hedgerow house. Kent paused for the merest moment. Ills gaze rested on the heavy black door. Heavier and blacker against the woodwork a pen limit waved languidly. To the normal human being the gris ly liislgiiium of death over a portal Is provocative of anything rather I bun mirth. But Chester Kent, view ing the crape ou Hedgerow house, laughed as he turned to the open road. Meditation furrowed the brow of Lawyer Adam Bain. "Nobody versus Sedgwick," grumbled he. "Public opin ion versus Sedgwick." he amended. "How's n self respecting lawyer going to earn n fee out of that? And Leu Schlager standing over the grave of T side that she had the gilt of second sight and foretold her own death." "Iluin-ni," mused Kent. "And now the ltlnirs have ihanged the name of the place. No wonder." - "There" one thing they hnveu't changed, the private bury in' plot." "Family?" "Hogg's there, nil rigid, an' never a parson In the countryside dared to speak to God about Ills soul, when they laid him there. Ills nephew, too. that was as black hearted as himself. But the rest of the graves has got no headstones." "Slaves?" "Them as lie kept for his own serv ice an' killed lu his tantrums. Nobody knows how many. You can see the bend of the creek where they lie. from the road, and the old willows that lean over "em." "Cheerful sort of persou the late Mr Hogg seems to have been. Any relics of his trade in the house?" "Holies? You may soy so! Ills old pistols ami compasses, guns, mimical Instruments and the leaded whalebone ' whip that they used to say he slept ! with. They've got 'em hung on the I walls now for urnynionts. Ornynients! IT theyu seen em as 1 ve seen em. they'd sink the iliiiunied things lu a hundred fathom o' clean sea." "Sailor Smith was cabin boy on one of the old Hogg fleet one voyage," ex plained Elder Dennett. "God forgive mo for It!" said the old man. "There they hang, and with 'em i tho chains and" "Isn't that lamp finished yet?" de manded Kent, turning sharply upon Khlcr Dennett. Having paid for It, with something extra for his curtnoss, he led thu sea man out of the place. "You were going to sny 'and hand- I cults,' weren't you?" he Inquired. "Why. yes. What of that?" asked ; i the veteran, puzzled. Suddenly he ! brought his band down with a slap on ' Ida llihrli "WIiai-a n-na mv ivIlaV" hit HE elder traced the history ot .., . ,. . . CHAPTER XI. Hedgerow Home. thu p.lalrs In mid out of con- mi's wrist! I knew I'd seen their like "Avrt. live, sir." nirl'iu'il tho other. ; the only son and heir of the household. . devilment from the old haven? ' I . ...i.. i Hj lnuf ii I win narrow mattress lu unu corner could ' me 'u' """'" be ao reckoned i 111111 "NI", ' 1111,1 ",'omH ,0 bv tlie onlJ' "It s happened!" announced Sedg- ! l't "Ight giving a straight range. j Suppose we run up (here. "lias It?" said Kent "Lean up I ?' ''' '' """" against the wall and make yourself at I wn '"""""' " ' i . ,n l ids lo m home. Man. you're shaking!" "V'," lul l l i m . , ? i .i .. in ns em er. As the scientist Had , ,", , 1 .ronn J "rt- ! urmlsed. irrangeinent of coat and Is his voice trembling. pontcd nt that dls. "No; anger does,, allect ine that 1 ..,.,, f the way nmv. .now, ami it te, no yet , (, ,.bnIr .i riri:!" .- : 7 . , cl,. Keot vatebfn A 1 . T, 1 before! Slavo manacles! They must strange spectacle. Kent, wntuirni, UiiniK-in I. political, soclal-iind , keen, ready aa a cat to spring stood ,,.,.. ,;,,so , ,,. , 'Hj c ; tt'Ifh h a ri. ftxoA lliHin I l)t tl st 011 I'd - ! LI7 IIUL'IJ. I.Ul (Hill BUhpu KU UI1U fn(. nf (hn tm f limM . Terror, in ire. .... ii.m.,..i iwcut hs Kpc quiei ni priw iu. ..... . jvhh UKi'iipilllN Ul lUUiill Dim. 1 overiuiiHu'nuK hiuii.uuil'iji uuu ic d,,ni nun ii tr iiia an ni nil 11 1 11 ni 1 it niri'ii ... J...' ., 1 ,.. i.T ..vo n . nr .hn " " ""u bl"'"''" "1' "".,"c ""C 1 A '"id hmise-ii rotten had house!" ' , "V j- . , : money lie could lay nanus on. wrmug . .... . -V1 .. nr,sn,. desire to take n negro, but the Jaw and chin were set ,.... ... ,,, ,.,., ,,, ,,,, ! ,u. , ',,!. "., , " , , ' ?, " ly. "Going back to Aimalaka, Mr Snilih'- I'll walk wllh von ns far as married u girl of nineteen, lieautirul . h(, ,.,,.,,1 , Mr s.slgwb k's." iiii.l innocent, whose parents. Ilieeiuer "Ye., ir. It w. inquired tor only ye.terday by Mr. Blair." hanging to it. "This may or may not be an Important clew to the curious death that occurred here three days i,go." "It looks like the slur from the col lar of an officer. I should sny positive ly Hint It was I mm an in my or navy uniform " "Are yon yourself an expert III wool ru fabrics. Mr. IllalrV" "I hne been." "Cm, Id you tell from that tiny frag ment whether or not Hie w hole cloth Is all woiilV" Wllhout replying Itlalr gave the steering In. ii.lt.' a quirk sweep, mid the ear drew up hetore a drug store. He look the star and waa gone a few minutes. "Not all wool," ho announced on his ret II I'll. "Lxll the army or navy officer," re marked Kent. "Why so?" "ItiHiiuse regulations require all wool garments -mid get them. What I. the fabric V" "A fairly good mixture, from Iht very elementary i hetnh al test I marie." "Thank you, Mr. lllalr. You've ellm li.aled ouo troublesome hypothesis for ne. I'll telephone you before i) o'clock, (loud day." rrom tho woolen manufacturer Chester Kent went direct to the Mnr tliidale Center library, where he Intel viewed the llhriirlaii. a sauo man, not rrom one in a niiiiu fury. Take tlmu and cool down. What do you think of my room?" "What's the game?" asked Sedg wick, Interested lu spile of himself. "It dates back to our college days. Do you remember that queer fresh man, llcrwlndv" "Tile mind reader? Yes. Tho poor i hap went Insane afterward." "Yes It was a weak mind, but a singularly receptive one. Yon know wo used to force numbers or playing cards upon his consciousness by mere ly thinking of them ' "I recollect Ills method was to stand gating at a blank wall. Ilo said the object we were thinking nf would j i lo belore hlin visually against the hM uk lies. Did you ever figure out , how he managed lo do It?" "Not exactly." ' ' Tor years I've kept n bare while room In my Washington house to do i my hard thinking In When your nf- j fair promised to hoonino difficult for me I rigged up this spot. And I'm trying In things against the walls." I "Any particular kind of things?" Kent produced the silver star from 1 his pocket and tuld nf Its discovery. "Sedgwick, what was It your visitor ! inlri to you about Jupiter?" i "Bho didn't uiciuvm Jupiter." ' "No, of course t ut. Not by nil ill. But what Was It ulie said about tint I planet that she pointed out over tho lea?'' ! copse. Kent entered nil nanus unu knees inn! made extended exploration After a few moments the sound ot low lugubrious whistling wis heard from the trees, and presently the musician emerged leading himself by the lobe of his ear. "Evidently vou've found something," ! eolliliieliled Sedgw Ick. "I'm sall-llcd I hat some one llred, a I shot I'imiii here. The uiiirksitctn - a ' mod one saw- ymi, a" he supposed. Jerk to the sh.u as II' with a bullet j through yon and Weill away sallsllcd." i "Leaving no mice behind hlin " add I ed Sedgwick. "No truce that Is tangible. 1 ilea the evidence the corpus delicti Willi a warrant Jgainst searching, so lo speak. In his hand! Kor that matter, tills Professor Kent worries me more llian the sher iff." A sharp humming rose In the air ami brought Hie Idlo counselor to his win dow, whence ho beheld tho prime au thor of his bewilderment descending from a cnr. A nilniito later the two men were silling wllh their feet on one desk, a fairly good sign of mutual ru spect and eoulldenee. "lllalr?'' said Lawyer Bnln. "No, I don't know him. not oven to see. Took Hogg's haven, didn't bo?" "Then be doesn't use this poslolllce?" "No. Might use any one of half u dozen. See here." Ho drew a county uutp from a shelf, "Hero's tho place. Seven railroad stations on three dif ferent roads within ten miles of It. A ii mi in U a would bo way out of his reach." "Yet Gansett Jim seems to bo know n here." "Oh. is It Blair that tho Indian works i'-nssl or Hie veteran's company n " ' ' '' icw. i. loser n a uciu he turn of ihe road. Kent sat down j "" wl" lockjaw, he Is. Well, I ex H.d took hl ear In hand to think. i iwt Uo reason ho comes here occn- "Miss Dorr e." he mused. "Mario- i slonnlly Is that It's Ihe nearest llccuso i.itiii',i Kent's lllnrel-s went to Ills clll i .1.. i v-l...t ui.....t ..I., r.... town. You see. you , .i.i.i..,,. r. m.ile nflcr a vear of ! '. i., .'....f i t i ..i,.. h. . marriage, though there was no legal ; lllln ),,., iMw? Poor Sedgwick !"' !' 'b'h'k process, and he had relumed to his A, . N'u ht, f,llMl . ,,,,,,, ,)f : Will al ten mile. a. ..y as you'd nonius in me miiiei iiiiui i. iiiiiiiuuo voiiiini criiiioti 1 1 1 1 1 r 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 y striving i overtook hlin lu the ronn or luliorcii- i , , , , ... together, as lu n mosaic, the losls. Ills rather had brought hlin to ; fluttered reinnaiils of his work. Kcdg- their place ou Suialiiyiuiin's creek, and j wh k brlgbteued at Ills friend's up there he was kepi lu seiul seclusloii, visited I'roin time to time by Ills young ..-,. i,...U.u s Nii!;o, come out and do w ife, who helped to core tor him. lm. ,.,mple or set of lehiils!" he be- "That's Ihe story they tell," com- j .longht. "I'm no sport fur you, 1 know, molded Ihe elder, "but ..nine folks has mrl h ohirl.v as mv nerves are jilinpv, got suspicions. My own suspicions Is ' ) ,r t I need the wo A " ! "Sorry, my b'ty," said Kent, "hut i I've got to iniike a more or less polite call. People Iclllled illol.-. I'.Ver know 1 elll?" i t linn In the stoicism of the Indian. In :V of .oml(1M, .m.H ,M Nt,. Vork. j that strange racial eonuict or cino nous ..ll.hl(, uf ,,., (.11ni, holuu nm ine ncrcer sriaiii won. viuuneu turns frame relaxed. Ho grunted. "Good boy, Jim!" Chester Kent's . ,,usy ,mued. had sold her to tin: voice at tne mnr nreeus ear was tne (,(v ,,,. nitllr. ,,,.,. Thl, Kir, voice of one wlio soothes an anrlghled whs0 lmMni ,,,,, nK Marjorle Dor- horse. I (lam t Know wnoinor you i could stand It or not. didn't shoot Mr. Sedgwick after all." "Diiuno what you mean," grunted Gausett Jim, "And you mustn't shoot at him any more," continued the scientist. The tone was soft as a woman's, but Sedg wick felt In It the tensity of n liulu ready for any extreme. Perhaps the half breed, too, felt the peril of that determination, for he hung his head "I've brought yon here to show you why. Pay good hoed. now. A man traveling In a wagon was met here, as he says, by a woumn-yoii understand that Hie young feller hasn't got no inoi'it eoimiiiiinttoii Hint Von have. III. who questioned blm and then went , (, , , ;,,,. , ,, on lie loiiowcil the trull tnrongii tno hi-u-li and found the signs of u light. The light took place before Ihe death. Here's the lantern Take his trull from here." ! Wllhout ii word the half breed ! ,1... II.. I.. t 1 I I ' ' '"" "'" l" his tiaiue .ml ot print. i ,.,ini. .i.ici it le.i ..ot ..lien oi Bum I'licreln going he pulled up short III an open I cops., of ash and set the lantern ou tin old lllalr has got liim here to keep him out of the papers." "Plibllelly Is not lo Mr. III. ill's taste. I lieu?" "I don't believe Ihe old mini would liiirdlv1 stop short of minder to keep le's kind ..' loony on the subject Sailor Milt Smith Is the feller that can tell you about Hie family and the place. Here "Do you know most of Hie postolllcos i around hero?" "There Isn't but one poslinaster with in twenty tulles that I don't call by his ' Hrst name, and vlie's a postmistress." "Then you could probably llnd out liy telephone w hore the lllalr family get ; Ihclr mall." I "Kasy!" "And perhaps whiil newspapers they take." "I I'm! Yes. I giU'vs so" "Try It us soon n ymi gel back." "(if cause yn.i don't expect me to ground. Ilonndllliv he nosed about the hi i,uie up the street follow hut" "Why not? Look nt Ihe ground in the thicket " "What Is I here lo I en there, since- vou've said there are no murks?" "The soil Is very soil " "li es: there's a spring lilsl buck ot lis " "Yet tilde's not a footprint .IIm-ciiI hie nu It " "I've got that part of the lesson by heart. I think " "l.'se jour brain on It. then. Some tma designing to iniike you bis turgor has been In tills thicket; been and gone and left Ihe place truckles.. That some one was II keen, soil footed woodsman. Putting It In wont, of one syllable. I ahoiild any he probably bad the racial trodden earth. Suddenly he caught up Ihe latilerii. which hud rolled from his hand, and threw Its light upon Sedg wick's fool. Then lie turned away. Kent whistled softly. The whistle hud it purring quality of content. lie thrust his head out of the .hsir nud called. Sailor Smith, sturdy ami while, entered and greeted Kent colli' teo.isly. "Mr. Dennett was saying." remark- isl Kent, "that yon know som.il. Ing of "I'sed to I. now ii Wilfrid Itlalr lu I Purls," -.ai'l the arils) linllil'erently. "What kind . f a person was he?" "All agreeable enough llllle licilt. but ii rounder of the worst soft, is he I the man ,o:i'ro going to sec?" ' "No sin Ii lin k." said Clie-ler Kent. "I never expect to see WKI'ild lllalr. I Probably I shan't even be Invited to j Ills funeral." i "(Hi! Is he .lend?" "His dentil Is officially expected any "Hack from where?'' "Hack from Hie medical officer's place. I think be must have returned by tills, time." "You want to see Tim Breed?" "No; Just his records. Burial per mits. suppose, are a matter of public record " "Ves All you've gol to do Is lo go in 1 ask for 'em. Ymi won't need ine." "Ilegrcttable as his hid taste" Is." said Kent Willi n solemn face, "I fen.' "Not the same as the fnolprlnt. eh?" , f " 1 1 r. . w house, as I he remarked. "I'ootprlut too smalt," grim led Gun ectt .Mm. "How many people two?" "Three" "Three, nf course. I hud forgotten the citrus wagon man. He came later, nut , iiii, you see it wu.iii r. ' , M11(, m.,,(, , nllU , WICK. believe they cull It." "They call It!" repented the old sailor. "Who calls It? If you mean the lllalr lilnee. that's Hogg's haven, that Is! You eun't wipe out that name while day." Hint Dr llrce.l iloeut regard ine "llli With which words Kent stepped out , lllllt col.lldeiice I esteem w hich one nud Into his waiting car. After departing from the ! reads of In Illuminated resolutions." Nook ! ".Viol you want me as un accelerator. Kent's car rolled along beside Sund.iy iiiiiu's creek sedately enough uiilll it approached Hie wide bend, whore it Indulged lu it bit of pathlliidliig across the coimlry, and eventually irept Into the shade of n .'lump of hul.cs and there's a man living us knew the plnee i hid. lis neenpant emerged and went It Its worst. Old Captain Hogg built forward nfoit until ho rnn:o In view l'beiof Hedgerow house. At the turn of h'i . ., . f i. . ,.v ,i i.i iim (,Tl1 ,rlu' l",'"n m "f 1,1,1 ""M ' "", sti'cain be leaped a ten. u and made hat he follow for demanded the (M (h(l m ,,,,,, , w.(jf (J ( eh?" smiled Hi.1 lawyer. "All right. It's the .lane Doe penult ou'ro after, I suppose." "Whl. h?" "June D"c. They buried the corpse from l.ones.uue Cove under that niimu. Puldonlliled dead, yon know." (Continued Next Biturday.) CABINET DISCUSSES IT. other savage No evil purpose. You can take his on, waa mat .iiipitei'7 now uui jou ilm,m.. f .i,,, hunt Does that flush i ,,u r,.m il... cl.vns wnaoii and fol u,,w''' j anv idea from your bruin';" i.nv that, if vou want to satisfy your- "Looked lust night, of course," said -nadul Instinct? Gonctt .llin!" said .f fui Iher 'thut ho wasn't here. I ll Kent Impatiently. "There's no other g,.,ig,Vck. 1 let vou have Hut lantern. Only, nt- plaiict conspleumu over tho aca at "i;r,etly, H ( bad found trv ks all ' mcinls'i', now ! No more shooting in that hour from where you stood. t I Lo elm. Dee, IL--Willi rvcrv aicia- house." i which the earth was ridged with little her in attendance. Hie lbitlii cabinet I "How long since did he die?" iiieuu.ls. Prol'csor Chester Kent was aid here today to .lieus the Herman I "Oh, twenty ear buck." ! rrspasslng. lie w as Invading tlie ler- 'inx'il mid on the Lnglish east .'oast "And the house was sold wonarter?" ' ritoiv uf the dead. 1 "c.Pifday iiioining. Premier Asqailh, "Sto.sl vacant for ten years. Then yt , Ille e. bi.inn of t'.ie gi a i' Hi i this . teller lllalr bought It. 1 don't;,,,,,!! the willows u lair Mew wii- nf I War Minister land Kil.'I.eiier nud first J.md ol the .VI in i in It y Winston ( liiil'.'li- ill wc.e the Inst lo arrive. .