The Detroit times., 1913-03-11

Hes certain the woman he seen talk
in to Mr.. Sedgwick Is the dead wo-
man. Willin' To swear TO 1t any
where's
What about Gansett Jim? Has he
contributed anything to the discus
sion?"
NO. Jim's as close-tongued as Try
Is clatter-mouthed."
And probably with reason NUT
tered Kent We'll, III look for you
inside
He returned to join Sedgwick. To
gether they entered the building,
while behind them u rising hum testi'
fed TO the interest felt In them by
the villagers
Within, a tall wiZened man, with
dead fishy eyes, stalked nervously to
and fro on a platform, beside which
a hastily constructed coffin with
hasped cover stood on three saw
horses. On a chair near by slouched
the sheriff his face red and stream
ing. A few perspiring men and wo-
men were scattered on the benches.
Outside a clock struck IL. There
was a quick inflow OF the populace,
and the man on the platform lifted up
chittering voice.
'Feller citizens he said, as medi-
cal officer l declare these proceedings
opened Meaning no disrespect TO
the deceased, we want to get through
as spry as possible. First we will
hear witnesses. Anybody who thinks
he can throw any light on the bust
ness can have hearing. Then those
as wants may view the remains. The
burial will take place right after
wards, In the town buryin' ground,
our Teller citizen and sheriff, Mr.. Len
Schlager, having volunteered the ex-
penses."
That man." said Sedgwick in
Kent's ear. rs great deal more
nervous this minute than l am"
Perhaps he has more cause to be,
whispered the scientist. Here comes
the first witness"
A sheep-herder had risen in his
place, and without the formality OF
an oath told of sighting the body at
the edge OF the surf at z o'clock In
the morning. Others, following. testi-
fed to the position on the beach, the
flashing OF the body to the grating, the
wounds, and the manacles. Doctor
Breed announced briefly that the de-
ceased had come to her death by
drowning, and that the skull had been
crushed in, presumably. when the
waves hammered the body upon the
reefs.
Then the corpse must have come
from a good ways out said Sailor
Smith; for the reefs wouldn't catch
il at that tide"
Nobody knows how the dead come
to Lonesome Cove" said the sheriff
in his deep voice.
There was a murmur or assent. The
people felt certain pride in the i'll
omened locality.
Elder Ira bennett was the next and
last witness called. Somewhere be-
meath the Elders dry exterior Iurked
the instinct of the drama. Stalking
TO the platform, he told his story with
skill and fervor. He made a telling
point OF the newly finished picture
he had seen in Sedgwick's studio, de-
picting the moonlit charge of the
wave-mOunted corpse. He sketched
out the encounter between the artist
and the dead woman wildly. AS he
proceeded, the chances turned upon
Sedgwick darkened from suspicion to
enmity. Kent was almost ready to
wish that he had come armed, when
bennett, with a final fling OF his arm
toward the artist. stepped from the
platform and resumed his seat, amid
a surcharged silence.
Then Sedgwicn rose. He was
white; but his voice was under ser,
feet control as he said Il presume !
have the right to be heard In my own
defense?'
"Nobodys accused you yet" growl-
ed Schlager
Public opinion accuses me. That
Is not to be wondered at, in view of
what Elder bennett has just told you.
IL is all true. But | do not know the
woman who accosted me. | never
saw her before that evening. She
spoke strangely to me, and indicated
that she was to meet some one and
go aboard ship, though l saw no sign
Of ship"
You couldn't see much of the
ocean from your house." said the
medical officer
81 walked on the cliffs later" said
Sedgwick. and murmur went
through the court room; but never
found the woman. And as for throw
ing her out OF ship, or any such
fantastic nonsense, ! can prove that
was back In my house by a little
after 8 o'clock that night
He sat down, coolly enough: but
his eyes dilated when Kent whisper
ed TO him:
Keep your nerve. The probability
will be shown that she was killed be-
fore 10 o'clock
Now, however, Doctor Breed was
on his feet again. Form in line.
ladies and gentlemen" said he. "and
pass the coffin as spry as possible"
At this, Sheriff Schlager stepped
forward and loosened the hasps. pre-
paratory to removing the cover The
body has been left" said he. slipping
the lid aside, Just as" or a sud-
den, his eyes stiffened. A convulsive
shudder ran through his big body lie
jammed the cover back, and, with
fingers that actually drummed on the
wood. forced the hasps into place.
She's come to life," cried a voice
from the rear.
NO, no." rumbled the sheriff.
Whirling upon the medical officer. he
whispered in his ear; not more than
a single word, 1t seemed to the watch,
FIJI Kent.
The doctor turned CHASTITY. Gents, .
he said In a quavering voice 10 the
amazed crowd. the program will not
be carried out as arranged. The
fha-wall Tho condition -, ,ho 10