The Detroit times., 1913-03-22
CHAPTER XIV.
(Contlnued.)

ehousn-Wlthout this, | would come
on now II hell yawned for me-"
Stricken with amazement at the
hatred in the tone. Sedgwick stood
staring. But Kent stepped before the
advancing man. This won't do" he
said firmly. We cant any of MS ar
ford killing"
i can. contradicted Mr.. Blair.
You would gain nothing " 1t. III
one or us Is killed the other Will finish
tho task. You know what | am here
for. Mr.. Blair. purpose to open that
coffin and then CO.
NO" said the master OF Hedgerow
House: and il was twenty years since
his no had been overborne.
YES returned Chester Kent
quietly.
Mr.. Bair's arm rose, steady and
slow, with the inevitable motion of
z machinery.
IF you shoot" pointed out Kent,
you will rouse the house. Is there
no one there from whom you wish to
conceal that coffin"
The arm rose higher until the muZ-
zle of the pistol glared. like baleful
lusterless eye. into kents face. In
stead OF making any condemnation
with the sheriff's revolver, the scien-
fist turned on his heel walked to
Sedgwick, and handed him the weapon.
I'm going TO open the coffin Frank,
he announced THAT pistol OF Mr.
Blair's IL target arm. Ii has only
one shot"
True" put in IT'S owner, but can
score one hundred and twenty with II
at a hundred yards range
n a. nh I'M hi m
And then, whatever happens, get that
casket open. That is the one thing
YOU must do--for me and yourself
But he may kill you" cried Sedg'
wick In an agony of apprehension.
He may: but | think he won't.
Won't he.' muttered the old man
on an indrawn breath I'D rather Il
was the other scoundrel But either
or BOTH
Sedgwick stepped TO within two
PAGES OF him. blair" he said with
a snarl, you so much az think with
that trigger finger, and you're dead
mo. no killing. Frank" counter
manded Kent I'm his place. you'd
perhaps do as he is doing
Don't take any chances, Mr.. Blair.
besought the sheriff They're desper-
ate characters Look what they done
to me-"
There's testimonial" murmured
Kent, as he picked up his spade, Tor
one who has always worked on the
side of law and order"
He worked the blade crafty under
the lid and began 10 pry. The cover
! gave slightly. Mr.. Blair's pistol sank
! 10 his side Il should have shot before
warning YOU" he said bitterly. "Nio-
lating graves Is. | suppose, your IDEA
( of a lawful and orderly proceeding
The rending crackle or the haru
heavy wood was his answer Kent
Z stopped. and struggled up bearing
shapeless heavy object in his arms.
+ The object seemed Ia be swathed IN
I sacking. Kent let it fall 10 the ground,
+ where il Topped and lay "All right.
said ne, with a strong eXhalatlon OF
relief IF knew Il must be.-And yell
we'll. one never Is absolute in certain
". And If Id been wrong, ! think,
Frank. we could profitably have used
!, that gun OH ourselves. You can drop
II. now. Come over here.
Courageous though Sedgwick was,
= his nerves were of highly sensitive
/ order. He shuddered back. Il don't
believe ] can do ii, Chef.
you must. AS witness. Come!
Brace up"
Z Setting the bul's-eye lantern down.
Kent produced a pocket-knife. Sedg'
wick drew long breath, and waiting
over crouched. steelng his nerves
against the revelation That shoufd
come when the cords should he cut
and tho swathings reveal their con-
tents IF | keel over. don't let me
tumble into the grave he said SIMPLY
and choked the last word of from be-
coming a cry of horror as he beheid
his friend drive the knife-blade to the
hilt in the body, and then whip 1t
across and downward with long rip
Ming draw under which the harsh cloth
sang hideously.
"Open your eyes, Look. Look
cried Kent heartily.
strong trickle of sand flowed out
of the rent i'm the sack and spread
upon the ground.
THAT Is ALL" said Kent.
Relief clamored within Sedgwick
for expression. He began to laugh In
short choking spasms
"Ouieti' warned Mr.. Blair. in
broken tone OF appeal. you've found
ont the secret. God knows what you'll
do with II. But there are innocent
neople in the house. | see light sur
ring there now. We must do what
I NAV be shelter them.
A glimmer shone from the ground
floor OF one Of the wings. Thither Mr..
ulair ran. calling out az he went.
when he returned. his face was Ike
mask
NOV" said he, what is that mat
ter? Blackmail?'
Kent's face withdrew, as 1t were
hahind his inscrutable half smile.
peace. II you WILL" said he. "A truce,
ut least -. -,
81 should like TO know just how
much you know"
IAN offer-I will tell you whenever
Won arc ready 10 tell me all that YOU
know. | think We are mutually In need
OF each other.
II wish you were, at the bottom OF
that nit" retorted the other grimly
You and your scoundrel of friend
with you"
THANK you for myself. said Sedg
wick. IF YOU were twenty years
Younger would break avery bone IN
your body for that
STEADY. Frank put In Kent
Judge no man by his speech who has
. been through what Alexander Blair
has been through tonight. Mr. Blair.
- 1911 "vou'vo refused my OFFER