Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-04-24

waiting. A tiny bar Of light appeared.
It swept across huddled and half
obliterated mounds, marked only BY
the carpet Of myrtle-that faithful
plant whose mission II 10 TO garland
the graves Of the forsaken and tho for
gotten-shone whitley back from the
headstone of the old slave-trader,
came to rest upon a fresh garish
ridge Of earth, all pasty and yellow N
the rain, and abruptly died.
'Too dangerous to use the lantern
murmured Kent. Take the near end
and dig"
Delving, even in the most favorable
circumstances, ID q fairly stern test OF
wind and muscle. In the pitch black
ness, under such nerve-thrilling condi-
lions, II was an ordeal, Both men,
fortunately, were In hard training.
The heavy soil flew steadily and fast.
Soon they were waist deep. Kent. In a
low voice, babe his fellow toiler stop.
Mustn't wear ourselves out at the
start" he said. "Take five minutes
rest"
At the end Of three minutes, Sedg-
wick was cropping for his spade. I've
got to 20 on. Chet," he gasped. THE
silence and hleness are too much for
me.'
''It's Just as WE'LL" assented his com
mander. 1.-THE clouds are breaking.
worse luck. And some one might pos
sibly be up and about, In the house.
Go to it,"
This time there was no respite. un-
til. with thud which ran up his arm
to his heart, Kent's iron struck upon
wood. Both men stood, frozen into at
titudes of attention. No sound came
from the house.
Easy now warned Kent. after he
Judged 1t safe to continue. II thought
that Jim dug deeper than that. Spade
It out gently. And feel for the
handles"
eve got one" whispered Sedgwick.
Climb out, then, and pass me down
the rope"
Az sedgwick gained the earth's
level, the moon, sailing from behind a
cloud, poured flood of radiance be-
tween the tree trunks. Kents face, as
he raised 1t from the grave, stretch.
Ing out his hand for the cord, was
CHASTITY, but his lips smiled encourage
ment.
"All right! One minute. now, and
we're SAFE"
"safe!" repeated the other With
that opened grave! shall never feel
safe again"
From between the earthen walls
Kent's voice came, muffled. "Safe as q
church." he averred, from the minute
that we have the coffin. Take this end
of the rope. Got it? Now this one. It's
fast, fore and aft. Here come"
With leap he clambered out Of the
excavation. He took one end OF the
rope from Sedgwick's hand. "All ready
to haul?" he inquired In matter-of.
fact tones.
"wait. What are we going to with
this-this thingT' demanded his 90
laborer. I'VE can never get it to the
car"
A low chuckle sounded from the
shrubbery back Of them. The resur
rectionists stood, stricken.
"An OWL" whispered Sedgwick al
length.
mo" replied Kent in the same tone
Then, in1full voice, and with vivit
urgency, Haul"
Up came the heavy casket. bump
ing and grating. Even through the
rope Sedgwick felt. with horror. the
tumbling Of the helpless sodden body
within. With a powerful effort Kent
swung his spade-edge under the cot
fin lid. to pry It loose. The chuckle
sounded again.
That's enough said heavy voice
with suggestion of mirthful appre
citation.
Sheriff Len Schlager stepped from
behind tree. He held revolver on
Kent. Sedgwick made a swift motion
and the muzzle swung accurately on
him
STEADY, Frank" warned Kent
anxiously.
"rm steady enough returned the
other. What fool was not to bring
gum"
"Oh. no." contradicted the scientist
"Of what use is my gun? We're in the
light, and he is In the shadow"
80 you've got a gun on you. eh 2
remarked the sheriff, his chuckle
deepening.
Il didn't say so"
mo; but you gave yourself away
Hands up, please. Both OF you"
Four hands went up in the air
Kent's face, In the light, was very
downcast, but from the far corner Of
his mouth came the faintest ghost Of
a whistled melody-all in minor key
1t died away on the night air and the
musician spoke in rapid French.
Attention.! La ruse gagne. Quand
lui donnerai lie coup de pied, battez-le
a terre."
What's that gibberish?" demanded
Schlager.
very WELL said sedgwick quickly
in the tone Of one who accepts In
structions. "I'll be still enough. &C
ahead and do the talking"
Better both keep still" advised
the deceived sheriff. Anything yoy
say can be used against you at the
trial. And the pentlay for body snatch
ing is twenty years in this state"
Eyes; but what constitutes body
snat ching?' murmured Kent.
"You do, guess" retorted the
humorous sheriff. Steady with those
hands. Which pocket, please, Profes
sor?"
fright hand coat, II you want m,