Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-11-11
man OF the beach 80

man OF the beachg"
mo: l DON'T
WHO else could IL possibly bey'
Perhaps we can best find that out
by discovering who left the drawing
here"
That looks like something OF a job. {"
Not very formidable. think. Sup
pose we run up tn the village and ask
the local stationer who has bought any
tracing paper there within a day or
two"
AS the demand for tracing paper In
Martindale Center was small. the sta
TONER upon being called on had no diff
Guilty in recalling that Elder bennett
had been in that afternoon and made
such purchase.
Then he must have discovered
something after left him." said Kent
to Sedgwick, for he never could have
kept his secret IL he'd had it then"
But what motive could he have?"
cried the artist
Just mischief probably. That's
enough motive for his sort" Turning
to the storekeeper. Kent added. DO
you happen to know how Mr.. bennett
spent the early part of this afternoon"
mock's rummage auction. an he got
something there that tickled him like a
feather. But he wouldn't let on what
il was"
The originaI!' said Sedgwick.
What does Dimmock deal in?''
"All kinds of odds and ends. he
scrapes the country for bankrupt sales
an has a big auction once a year.
Everybody goes. You can find any
thing from a pillow handle to a second
hand marriage certificate at his place"
I'VE now call on Elder bennett"
said Kent
That worthy was about closing up
shop when they entered.
Don't your lamp work right yet
Professor Kent?" he inquired.
Perfectly" responded the scientist
We have come to see you on another
matter. Mr.. Sedgwick and T.
First let me thank you" said Sedg-
wick, for the curious work of art you
left at my place"
"Hay-ee:" inquired the elder, with a
rising infection.
Don't take the trouble to lie about
it, put in Kent. Just show us the
original OF the drawing which you
traced so handily."
The town gossip shifted uneasily
from foot TO foot. How'd you know
/ got the picture?" he giggled. II
didn't find it myself till L got back
from the auction"
Never mind the process. Have you
the original here?"
Yes said Elder bennett: and. go
ing TO his desk. he brought back a
square of heavy blush paper. slightly |
discolored at the edges.
That's a very good bit of drawing"
said Sedgwick as he and Kent bent |
over the paper.
But unsigned" said his companion. |
Now. Mr.. bennett. whom do you sup !
pose this TO be?'
why. the lady that stopped to talk |
with Mr.. Sedgwick and was killed in !
Lonesome Cove"
Then why did you leave out this /
in copying the picture?"
"Aw-well." explained the other in
some confusion, "she didn't have no
on when l seen her, and it
ooks a lot more like without it"
How much money would you take
Tor this?"
About 50, guess" replied the 9TH
IT in a bold expulsion Of breath.
At this moment Sedgwick. who had
been studying the picture in the light,
made a slight signal with his hand,
which did not escape Kent.
Five dollars is a big price for n
,ough pencil sketch" said the scien-
list. I'D have to know more OF the
picture to pay that for it. Where did
Tou find it:"
I'm this book. 1 bought the book at
Oimmock's rummage auction" He
Produced a decrepit, loosely bound edi-
ion of the Massachusetts Agricultural
Reports THE picture was stuck in
between the leaves"
mo name in the book" said Kent
The fyleaf is gone. But here's the
late of publication-1S30."
THAT would be just about right;
aid Sedgwick, with lively interest.
Right for what?" demanded Den Z
lett.
Before there was time for reply Kent
lad pressed n five dollar bill into his
land. with the words: ,
You've made a trade"
Wait" protested the elder. But the :
ketch was already in Sedgwick's pos Z
ession.
Its an Elliott" said that gentle
nan. I'm sure of il. I've seen his ,
ketches before, though they're very :
are. and there's an unmistakable :
ouch about his pencil work"
I'm that case" said Kent suavely.
Mr. bennett will be gratified to know =
hat he has sold for 50 an article worth
fly times that" ;
CHAPTER XIII. -
The Aid of the Stars.
left the elder groaning at r
nd m lnnE u,