Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-05-01

!
In the White Room.
"Annalaka, July Is.
"To Hotel Eyre. Martindale Cen
tor: Dust 57l and send up seven
chairs. Chester Kent"
mean?" unused the day-clerk OF the
nyrie, as he read the telegram through
for the second time. Convention In
To satisfy his curiosity he went up
ness confirmed suspicion Of long
standing.
"Any man." he remarked to the
day for q room just to put nothing ut
all In It, has sure got q kink In his
cogs."
!. Nor did the personnel Of the visitors
who, IN course Of the late afternoon,
arrived with requests to b shown to
671, serve to efface this Impression.
First came the sheriff from Annalaka.
He was followed by . man Of unmis-
takably African derivation, who gave
the name Of Jim and declined to
identity himself more specifically.
While the clerk was endeavoring. with
sign: lack OF success, to pump him,
Lawyer Adam Balm arrived, and 20
emphAticalfy vouched for his predeces-
sor - to leave the desk.lord no further
excuse for obstructive tactics. Shortly
afterwArd Alexander Blair came In.
with q woman heavily yelled, and was
deferentially conducted alpft. Finally,
Chester Kent himself appeared, &C
companied by sedgwfck and q third
man, unknown to tho clerk. pompous-
ly arrayed in frock coat and silk
hat, and characterised by . painfully
twitching chin.
.'Who have conner" Kent asked the
clerk.
That functionary ran over the list.
Looks like something to do with the
woman found in Lonesome Cove last
week." he essayed hopefully.
Kent glanced out Of the window.
1T looks like rain.' he observed, "and
It looks like wind. And it looks Hke
number OF things that are anybody.s
br.iness. Furthermore, may mention
that we shall not need. In 671. Ice
water, Stationery, casual messages.
callins-cards, or any other form Of
espionage" He favored the whiting
clerk with sunny smile and led his
companions to tho elevator.
Sedgwick put hand on his arm.
1.-THE woman with Blair" he asked
under his breath.
Kent nodded. ri rather hoped that
she ouldn't come, he said. Blair
might better have told her-so Tar
as he knows
ether. he doesn't know ALL"
"No. And perhaps she would be
content with nothing else. It II her
right And she is brave woman. 10
Marjorie blair, as Jax here can testify.
We have seen her under Are"
"she is that" confirmed the man
with the twitching chin.
"This, then. II the finAl cleanup 4
asked sedgwick.
"Final and complete"
Thank God! Il Will be . weight
Ion my shoulders,'
"o1 many shoulders" sid Kent.
Here We are
Greetings among the little group, so
strangely and harshly thrown to-
gether by the dicecast Of the hand Of
Circumstance, wore brief and formal
Only Preston Jax was named by Kent.
with the comment that his story would
be forthcoming. The seven guests
seated themselves. the Blairs at one
end Of the haMLcircle. sedgwick and
the astrologer at the other. Kent,
leaning against the wall, fumbled IN
certainly at his ear.
II hardly know where 10 begin, he
said, his eyes rowing along the intent
line. mot that the case isn't per
fectly clear; but there are certain
startling phases which-which- He
glanced toward the Blairs.
him. Don't be alarmed for me-, Prof
essor Kent" she said. Whist ! most
want il to have verifying cleared
up overything!"
First, your jewels, then"
Kent turned to Preston Jax, who
handed him package. Opening II.
Kent displayed the wonderful Gros-
venor rosetopa1es, with q mascella-
neous lot OF rings sparkling amid their
coils. With cry, Marjorie caught up
the necklace.
"Are all the remainder Of the lost
valuables there, Mrs. Blaif! ASKED
Kent.
She glanced carelessiy It the, rings.
II think 90. Yes. But this Il what
matters to me"
"These are all that Preston Jax
found on the body"
Alexander Blair leaned from his seat
the better to take Preston Jax.s ct the
other end Of the crescent, under con-
|sideration.
1T was you who found the body I"
he demanded. y.
eyes," said the astrologer unsarly.
Were you alone when you found
|it?'
Eyes. No. don't know. There vas
! q man sumewheres near. ! heard him.
but never saw him."
"Was Mr.. Francis Sedgwick with
You that night pursued Mr.. Blair IA
measured tones.
4 never saw Mr.. sedgwick until
today"
There was q little soft sigh Of relief
from where Marjorie Blair rat.
THAT may or may not be true" said
Alexander Blair sternly. II Is the
word Of q man who has robbed dead
body, II, indeed, he did not Also kill"
STEADY, Mr.. Blair" broke in Ches-
/ L. 4 u