The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-03-29
CHAPTER Xxx.
(Contlnued.)

were you alOne when you louh'
it?"
Yes. No. don't know. There
was man somewheres near
heard him, but | never saw him"
Was Mr.. Francis SedSwick witt
you that night?' pursued Mr.. Blair il
measured tones.
Il never saw MI. Sedgwick unit
today"
There was little soft sigh OF re
lief from where Marjorie Blair sat.
That may or may not be true.
said Alexander Blair sternly. 1t II
the word of q man who has robbed
dead body. il. indeed, he did no
also kill"
Steady, Mr.. Blair" broke in Ches
ter Kent. Perhaps, considering wht
Is present, we would better approach
this in q somewhat calmer spirit"
Il didn't kill or rob any one
The words seemed 10 be jerked on
from between Preston Jax's, teeth by
the spasmodiSV QuiveringS Of his chin
How came you by my daughters
jewels. then, II you did not take them
from the body?"
who ever said l didn't take 'em
from the body?" retorted the other
II did take 'em. But ii wasn't rob
berry. And what l want to know Is,
how did they come to be on the body.
anyhow? What was that Astraea wo-
man doing with your daughters rings
and necklace? Tell me that"
Wait a moment put in Kent. "Ex-
plain to Mr. Blair, Jax, what your pur-
tn. toll b N snxx Ia.
hide 1en-Ethought- less
there was on the body to identify it,
the better chance I'd have OF getting
away. | was 80 scared that ! guess
was half crazy, anyway. And now,
hear, she never has been identified
s that right!'
Sheriff Schlager half rose from his
chair. Amt you told 'em. Profes
sor KENT"
Kent shook his head.
Nor you, Mr. Blair"
NO"
Then l don't see why we can't
keep 1t amongst ourselves said the
sheriff "Gsnsett Jim's tight as a
clam. Nobody'll ever get anything out
OF him. And, Lord knows, the less
~
ed. amt none too proud OF my
part In 1t"
There Is no reason why 1t should
ever be known outside OF this room,
said Kent. and, at the words, Alexan.
der Blair exhaled a pent-up breath of
relief. But II is due to one person
here that she should know every.
thing. The question Is how 10 make
1t clear In the best and-and kindest
way"
IF 1t will make it easier for any
one here to speak said Marjorie
Blair, II can say that ] understand
certain phases Of my husbands past
life, thoroughly. There Is no need TO
spare me on that ground
But this pertains TO phase that
you do not understand at all
yes, think So" she persisted
gently. This dead woman had some
hold over my husband. To maintain
II she came to live near Hedgerow
House, and while she was blackmail-
ing Wilfrid. she got into communica-
tion with Mr.. Jax."
Perhaps they were in collision.
suggested Lawyer Balm.
"Oh, no, no." broke in Alexander
Blair impatiently. You're wide OF
the truth"
II understand" persisted the young
woman, that the woman persuaded
or compelled Wilfrid 10 write the let.
ter TO Mr.. JaX, which she signed As
traea. And that. when she went to
keep the rendezvous, she took my
jewels, which, suppose. she forced
poor Wilfrid TO steal for her. Am
| not right. Professor Kent"
No. Far from IT.
Why not" cried Sedgvick eager.
ly. she certainly had the jewels on
when she met me. And he hand
cuffs must have been ia the bundle,
] heard them clink"
Exactly: the handouts. said
Kent dryly. What use, to your
mind. would a woman of that sort
have for manacles. In those circum'
stances"
Yes put in Adam Balm: they Al
In about as nice as a pink silk hat al
a funeral"
II KNOW what use she had for em,
muttered Preston Jax. caressing his
wrist. It's simply case Of crazy
woman, isn't II. Professor KeDt?'
mo. Not II you mean that your
assailant was crazy woman sait
Kent patiently.