The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-06-29

break. I need your assistance
"Honored, indeed" murmured
Kent.
will you accept the commission p
Not If II Is like your former offer"
at is not 1t Is bona fide. Some
one has been tampering with my sons
grave"
"Yop mean the grave at Hedgerow
House,"
Yves. Gansett Jim reports that
there are signs Of recent digging. II
looks as If ghouls had been at work
there. with the idea of getting the
body and holding 1t for ransom. They
would have had a fine surprise IL they
had got the coffin out''
Because they'd have found no
body in il, you mean?'
Certainly. But suppose they dis
covered that there were no remains,
nothing but punctured sand-bag.
Do you see the potentialities of black
mail ?"
No"
Then you are stupider than ever
took you for" growled the magnate.
Like most things, it depends on
the point of view. ! don't think tina,
you are in any danger of blackmaii.
\ But. IL ! understand the matter, you
want your mind relieved of anxiety on
the point. Very well, III take the
case"
That is settled, then" said the old
er man briskly. Now, this being a
strictly business deal. we Will discuss
terms"
"Oh. there is no room for discus
sion as to my terms" said Kent cas-
iiy II 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
Orcutt in Annalaka?" pursued the
scientist.
No"
"She owns the house just next to
Annalaka churchyard where your son
was buried as Jane Doe. She Is a
very worthy old lady. But she suffers
severely from asthma. In fact. 1t
keeps her awake most Of the night.
So some interested persons have sub
scribed money, and sent her south TO
a sanatorium. I'd like to get you In
terested in her case.
| You wish me to subscriber"
4 "Oh, more than that. / think It
would be a good idea II you were to
assume the entire expense Of the pro-
tceedings."
You mean reimburse the sub
scribers?"
Exactly"
For a few second the millionaire
studied Kent's candid face. Very
we'll" he agreed. How much?"
sheriff Schlager can tell you. He
is keeping the accounts. You see. 1t
was necessary to get her out of the
way Her windows overlook the
churchyard."
$50 YOU took occasion to indicate
Repetition Of really relevant
point is excusable. She left, two
weeks ago, very much mystified but
patheticaIly thankful, poor old girl!'
she has no monopoly on being
lmystihed," observed Mr.. Blair, with
pursed lips
..prebatiy- st1u~never wifi under
stand That's where you have the
of her, for ! think you'll
see quite clearly the reason for her
trip, and the propriety Of your foot
ing the bills"
Go on
when she was safely out OF the
way and no longer overlooking An
nalaka churchyard by night from her
window, Schlager. Adam Balm ana !
paid visit to the place. Technically.
what we did there amounts to grave
bribery, / suppose. But we covered
our tracks well. and don't think any
body will ever discover what has been
done"
..Well?a queried his nearer, with
twitching jaw.
What lay. nameless, in Annalaka
lchurchyard,' said Kent gravely, now
rests in its own place at Hedgerow
House. The marks found by Gansett
Jim were made by us. So your alarm
E{G Rrnrn61aQa Rsat uyich that