Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-01
A CHESTER KENT STORY


10 Mar orie Blair Kent had said that the
Great Game wasn't played for prizes But he
habitually offered himself a reward for victory in
the form of purely and luxur1ously scientific
pursuit So, after clearing the problem of Dead
Mems Cove, he decided upon trip to the wilds
where his friend, Professor Ellison Gage of the
University of Minnesota, extracting electrical -
energy from water, by process of his own not
yet given to the world. Other matters supervened,
and it was not until October that Kent set out for
Minneapolis where he to meet the great
physicist; thence going with him to shooting box
on one of the wilderness lakes where his apparatus
was installed Meantime the demon Sciatica had
pinned Professor Gage by the right leg, and when
Chester Kent arrived he found his host groaning
above his coils and batteries.
"You will have to go by yourself, announced
Gage: "I'm not fit. But you will find Summers,
my assistant there, and good hunting to amuse you
until can come
"But wouldn't it be better" asked Kent taking
the sheet of paper "if | waited here until"
The birrng of a bell cut him short. Professor
Gage turned to his desk. Then Chance spoke its
first word the telephone.
Now, no man born of woman can help listening
to the end of telephone conversation Chester
Kent was but human. He listened; and this is
Eyes Shady Farms? Impossible am
i'll. =. Simeon Flint dead; :; Who is, this
The electrical savant turned appalled, face to Kent
They've cut off, he said. "Shaly Farms is ten good
miles up the river Impossible that should 60 my
condition. But Flint.murdered he said'
"a friend of yours?" asked Kent alphabetically.
3Frend? No. Simeon Flint had no friends. He
wanted none He was hermit, and a nser He had
been my cassmate and years ago when he was i'll
looked after him for odtimes sake That doubtless
why they have sent for me now.
"He lives alone, them"
Except for old Pinder, doddering, devoted negro
servant"
Suppose go out as your representatives,"
"Would yOu?" cried the other eagerly. "The very
thing!'
He scratched few lines bit of letter paper.
"There is your authorization he said, "f anyone in
Get off Split Rock, and follow the road to the right
until you reach the Shay Farms lies in the bend
of the road, opposite the island
A T Split Rock tred-lookng young waiting
"A in the lonely station. He brushed past Chester
Kent jumped on the platform, glanced hastily about
the car, and jumped off again. Kent accoSted him.
@You are looking for Professor Ellison Gage?'
"Yes"
you've found him.
The young man contemplated the perfectly clad
figure before him, and took earnest survey Of the
gaunt, thoughtful, and rather somber physiognomy.
aSince last saw you" he observed "you have got
new tailor. You have also got face. Your tailor
Improvement
Chester Kent smiled Al should have added that am
Professor Cages representative for today only My
is Chester Kent"
"Aly next representation Ladies and Gentlemen" re-
marked the tired-ooking young man, unmoved, "will
be Lydia f. Pinkham, crossing Death Valley tight
rope"
handed out Professor Cages note The young
tired.
$50 you really are Professor Kent he marveled. a
always took it for granted that Professor Kent
blond, fat-faced with cOrns.' .
"Why corns?' inquired Kent, astonished.
Because with always silly and
helpless and innocent. assumed that the man who
down that forged claims gang the forestry scandal
couldn't look if he had enough to part his hair
side, he wouldn't have been able get away
with it. You're disappointment Professor Kent LIN
very glad to meet you. | am Cyrus Reed of The
Courier. 1t was | who phoned Professor Gage"