Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-11-13
FOURTH NSTALLMENT.

cred In front Of the undertaker's establish
ment The curiosity that had centered upon
PROFESSOR Drummond while he sat in the
carryall conversing with Parson Whitaker
who made one of the crowd, was turned
upon Or. Williams when he came out The
crowd had been kept from invading
the once by Minot Hawkins, the Belmont
constable and brother of Landlord Delos
The constable was as curious as anybodv
and by virtue of his office felt no hesitation
IN asking questions of the doctor
nat do you think of it, Mason?" he
said. addressing the doctor by his first name
habit that few of the older people in the
village could overcome, although he had
been practicing physician for three or
four years.
There's no doubt that it's Starkweather."
replied the DOCTOR
"Of course rot" returned the constable in
g solemn whisper, but hold on a minute,
Mason. Amt there anything else in your
mind, eh?"
DIR. Williams paused, conscious that sub
stantially every eye in Belmont was upon
MIN and that every person in the crowd
knew the purport of Constable Hawkins
whispered question. He knew not what to
answer. His mind was in a conflict of Sslf-
formed ideas and convictions. He longed for
the discretion Of fifty years.
rs 1t all right to go ahead and let Samp-
son the undertaker) bury it, as the pro-
fessor says?" asked the constable after a
moment.
Il don't see why you should ask me-" re-
L ".
That's your lookout. isn't it?''
Yes, It's but you're doctor now Mason,
and you can see, p'r'aps. what the rest of us
can't. Have you looked at it as long as You
want to?"
The doctor looked sharply at Hawkins
without replying.
Il was just suggesting" continued Haw-
kins, that IL there was to be hearing
you might be called on to say what caused
the death"
You needn't wait the burial en- my ac-
count, constable" said the DOCTOR pushing
forward.
1t wasn't often that his neighbors dig
nifed Minot by addressing him by his Off
cial title, and as he was sincerely trying to
do his public outy he took this considera-
ton on the doctors part in excellent spirit
He drew himself up so that everybody saw
that the representative of the law was
satisfied with the situation, and when in
Quiries were directed to him as to what
DR.. Williams had said he replied:
He knows / is business, the doctor does
and when the right time comes he'll tell ali
he knows
AS the doctor pressed forward to the
carryall the crowd pushed up, too, eager to
hear what the professor had to say and
what the doctor would reply.
Il wish you'd get in, DOCTOR" were Prof
Drummond's words, If you've the time to
spare, and come up to see my daughter and
niece. 1 fear the shock may have been
tire ublesome for them, and that they may
need your services
inS Coctoi cliiiipeu III without replying.
There's nothing so insatiate as the
curiosity of lot of countrymen," remark
ed the professor after they had started.
I'm this case responded the doctor, 1.-THE
il centive to curiosity is exceedingly power
full
Yes, 1 suppose So" said the professor,
discortentedly, Il feel it myself. What do
you make of the case. eh?'
DIR. Williams felt his heart humping
wildly.
Il suppose you've heard that question be-
fore durIrg the past hour. haven't your"
asked the professor, with a labored attempt
at lisEtness.
I'm one form or another, yes"
Il am IEore and more puzzled over the
whole sad occurrence" continued Prof
Drummond, as the doctor remained silent.