The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-20

this spring. end our superintendent
believes that some enemy Is introduce
ing the pest into our warehouses. VIII
you take the case2"
'When2'
start tonight for Connecticut"
Chester Kent's long fingers went to
the lobe on his ear. Give me until
o'clock this afternoon to consider.
Can / reach you by telephone?"
YES, at Hedgerow House, my
place"
THAT is how far from here?"
Fourteen miles; but you need net
come there / could return to the
hotel TO conclude ARRANGEMENTS. And
think" he added significantly, that
you would find the project a profitable
one
Doubtless. Are you well acquaint-
ed with this part of the country, Mr..
Blair"
yves, I've been coming here for
years"
IT'S there en- army post nearbyf"
mot within a hundred miles
'eNof any officers on special detail
about?"
None, so far as ! know"
Kent produced from his pocket the
silver star with the shred of cloth
hanging to it. This may or may not
he an important clue to curious
death that occurred here three days
ago.
said the other indifYerently. TOOK
1t to be mostly gossip"
Before the death there was
struggle" This star was found at the
scene of the struggle"
cit looks like the star from the
collar of an officer. L should say posi-
lively that it was from an army or
navy uniform"
"positiveness Is the greatest temp
tation and snare that / have to fight
against" remarked Chester Kent.
otherwise should say positively that
no officer. going to dubious rendex~
vous, would wear a uniform which
would be certain to make him con-
spicuous Are you yourself an expert
in wooden fabrics, Mr.. Blair?"
81 have been"
Gould you tell from that tiny frag-
ment whether or not the whole cloth
Is all wool?'
without replying. Blair gave the
steering handle "a quick sweep. and
the car drew up before drug store.
He took the star and was gone few
minutes.
mot all wool" he announced on
his return.
Exit the army or navy officer" re-
why so?
because regulations require ALL
wool garments--and get them. What
is the fabric?''
"A fairly good mixture, from the
very elemental chemical test I made.
Something in the nature of a worsted
batiste I should Judge, from what I
could make out under the inferior
magnifying glass that they loaned
me-"
Thank you. Mr.. Blair. You've
eliminated one troublesome hypothe /
sis for me. I'll telephone you before
3 o'clock. Good day
From the wooden manufacturer /
Chester Kent went direct TO the Mar
tindale Center library, where he in
terviewed the librarian.
"Do you get the agriculture depart /
ment publications?
Yes"
Have you pamphlet issued by
the bureau of entomology, Helmund
on The Swarm Phenomenon in Lepi-
doptera?"
Yves. sir 1t was inquired for only
yesterday by Mr.. Blair"
''Ah. yes. He's quite interested in
the subject, believe.
'Tt must have been quite recent. t
then" said the Librarian. We haven't +
seen him here for a long time until
two days ago. when he came and put
In a morning, reading on insects"
so, Mr.. Alexander Blair said 1
Kent, addressing the last fence post .
on the outskirts of the town, after n
thoughtful walk, that was a fatal
break on your part, that mention of
Helmund. Amateurs who have wholly
dropped q subject since years back
don't usually know publications issued
only within three months. That cas-
ual meeting with me was we'll carried
out, and you called it chance. A very
palpabiy manufactured chancet But