Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-05-27

a 6uufa8StBos the mysterious Denes
faction that had befallen old Mrs. Or
cult late Ia February. enabling her
to leave her home next to Annalal1a
churchyard and take her asthma
Southwark in search of cure, tDs
rumor that Hedgerow House was to
be sold before summer.
And young Blair's body along with
it, | expect remarked the elder
malevolently. Seems to me II I waa
a millionaire like Alexander Blair
wouldn't sell my own flesh and blood.
dead or alive~
OF Alexander Blair himself Moth
ing had been seen in the neighbour
hood since mid-July, nor of his
daughter-in law. Hedgerow House
was in charge Of Gansett Jim as care
taker Professor Kent had left about
the same time as the Blairs. But
Francis Sedgwick had stuck to the
Nook, studying first the cold grays
and browns of November, and later
the wonderful blazing whites and
subtle blues of drift and shadow
spread before him in winters endless
pauomara, with the same enthusiasm
that he had devoted to 0etober's riot
of color. Though the work prospered
the worker had paled. 1t was the
opinion of Martindale Centre and Afi-
nalaka alike that the painter fell
fer was looking right pealxy and
piny. like one whose conscience ached.
But Sedgwick had nothing worse than
heartache and the fates were maxi
ing medicine for that.
Wind-borne on the blast of
mid March gale Chester Kent
dropped down at the door &
the Nook one wild afternoon
without warning. AS always, ne
was impeccably clad. though hss
stout boots showed the usage of rA~
cent hard wear Leaving Austin thas
morning. with his light valise sluns
TO his shoulder, he had footed the ff<
teen miles of soggy earth to Sedg-
wick's place, in a luxurious tussle
| against the wind Throwing open the
door. he called his friends name.
Instantly the artist came looping
down the stairs and had him by the
| shoulders.
1--WE got a caller up above" he said
after the usual greetings and ques-
tionings were over.
Eyes? Have you gone in for locah
soeiety2"
mot exactly local. It's Alexander
Blair
"Hel-lo!" said Kent in surprise,
'iwhat brings him."
why, he came down to Hedgerow
House to look after certain books and
papers and ran over here to make ms
amende honorable in form. Chef, l
hate being apologized to-
"Of course. Everyone does. Never
1 theless, it's good exercise for Mr.. A.
Blair. Esquire. Bring into action
some muscles of his soul that might
i otherwise have atrophied from dis
USE
Hes the grim jawed, hard-bitted
Blair of old Just the same, he mace
his apology as handsomely as need
/ be. I'll bring him down here"
| The fabric magnate descended from
the studio and greeted Kent briefly.
/ then turned to his host. You will
excuse me if / ask Mr.. Kent to step
outside. / have some business with
/ him."
/ Ystay here" said the artist. r"1'll go
hack to my studiov Which he did.
/ when a man once declines employ
ment with me-" said Alexander Blair
TO Kent. "I never give him a second
chance. That rule l am going TO
break. / need your assistance"
"Honored. indeed" murmured
Kent.
"Will YOU accept the commission"
Not IL it is like your former offer
at is not. 1t is bona fide. Some
one has been tampering with my sons
grave"
"You mean the grave at Hedgerow
House?'
ives. Gansett jim reports that
there are signs of recent digging. 1t
looks as if ghouis had been at work
/ there. with the idea of getting the
i body and holding it for ransom They
would have had fine surprise they
had got the coffin out"
Because they'd have found no body
in it, you mean"
Certainly But suppose they dis
cover that there were no remains,
nothing but a punctured ssnd-bag.
DO you see the potentialities of black
mai?"
mo"
y lneu yOu art Slupiuct tioiA Sf~A
took you for" growled the magnate.
Like most things, it depends on the
point of view. don't think that you
are in any danger of blackmail. But,
if understand the matter, you want
your mind relieved of anxiety on the
point. Very well. I'll take the case"
"That is settled, them" said the
} older man briskly. Now, this being
a strictly business deal, we will dis
cuss terms
} "Oh there is no room for discussion
, as to my terms said Kent easily.
Il make them and you accept them,
that's ALL
Alexander Blair's eyebrows drew
down in a heavy scowl.
, do you know of an old lady named
: circuit in AnnaIaka? p pursued the
: scientist.
3 ITO Be Continued Tomorrow