Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-11-14
THE ROCK ISLAND ARGUS. SATURDAY NOVEMBER H.

one shot"
True" put In its owner, but I can
score 10 with IL ut hundred yards"
''If he should fire. Frank. wing him.
And then. whatever happens, get that
cnsket open. That is the one thing
you must do-for me and yourself"
Sedgwick stepped to within two
PAGES OF Blair. Blair" he said. with
u snarl. you so much as think with
that trigger finger and you're dead"
mo; no killing. Frank" counter
manded Kent In his place you'd
perhaps do as he is doing"
He worked the blade of a spade
craftily under the lid and began to
pry. The cover gave slightly. Mr..
Blair's pistol sank to his side. Il
should have shot before warning you"
he said bitterly. Violating graves is.
l suppose, your idea of a lawful and
orderly proceeding"
The rending crackle of the hard,
heavy wood was his answer Kent
stopped and struggled up. bearing a
shapeless heavy object in his arms.
The object seemed to be swathed in
sacking. Kent let it fall to the
right" said he. with a strong exhala-
ton OF relief. II knew it must be.
And yet-welI. one never is absolute
in certainty. And If I'd been wrong
think, Frank, we could probably have
used that gun on ourselves. You can
drop it now. Come over here"
Courageous though Sedgwick was.
his nerves were of a highly sensitive
order He shuddered back. II don't
believe l can do it. Chef"
You must AS witness. Come.
brace upr'
Setting the bullseye lantern down,
Kent produced a pocketknife. Sedg
wick drew a long breath. and, walk
ing over, crouched. steeling his nerves
against the revelation that should come
when the cords should be cut and the
swathings reveal their contents IF
keel over don't let me tumble into
the grave" he said simply and choked
the last word off from becoming a cry
of horror as he beheld his friend drive
the knife blade to the hilt in the body
and then whip it across and downward
with a long ripping draw under which
the harsh cloth sang hideously.
open your eyes. Look. lookw cried
Kent heartily.
a strong trickle of sand flowed out
of the rent in 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.
Quiet" warned Mr. Blair, in a bro
ken tone of appeal. You've found out
the secret God knows what you'll
do with it. But there are innocent
people in the house. What is this mat
ter? Blackmail?"
Kent's face withdrew. as it were. be-
hind his inscrutable half smile.
Peace. If you WILL" said he. "a truce
IT least
81 should like to know just how
much you know"
IAN offer. | will tell you whenever
7ou are ready TO tell me all that you
know. / think we are mutually in
need OF each other"
IT wish you were at Cne bottom or
hat pit,'' retorted the other grimly.
You and your scoundrel of friend
With you"
Thank you for myself" said Sedg-
WICK. IT you were twenty years
l would break every bone in
Tour body for that
STEADY. Frank" put in Kent Judge
10 man by his speech who has been !
through what Alexander Blair has /
been through tonight. Mr.. Blair" he
added, you've refused my offer. 1t /
$ still open. And as an extra L will |
Undertake for Mr.. Sedgwick and my |
elf that this nights affair shall be
Kept secret And, now, the next thinS |
S to cover the evidence. Spades, |
frank"
The two men took up their tools.
III spell you" said Alexander
Blair. and they hurriedly reinforced
he sack of clean sand which bore the
Iame of Wilfrid Blair
And now" said Chester Kent. pet
ing his blistered palms as the last
hovelful of dirt was tamped down.
I'll take you back with me. Mr.. Sher-
#. to SedGwick's place and do the
.eSt | can for You till the morning.