The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-06-22

Wdrd ana looseneQ the hasps preparal tory to removing the cover. tsThe body has, been left" said he, slipping tha lid aside, just as''- Of a sud den, his eyes stiffened. A convulsive l shudder ran through his big body. He 1 jammed the cover back, and, with fin gers that actually drummed on the wood, forced the hasps into place. She's come to lifeY' cried a voice from the rear
 No, no!' rumbIed the sheriff. Whirl- ing upon the medical officer, he whis- pered in his ear-not more than a sin gle word, it seemed to the watchful Kent
 The doctor turned ghastly. Gents 2 he said in a quavering voice to the amazed crowd, s'the program will not be carried out as arranged. The-the well, the condition of the deceased is not 1tten''- He stopped, mopping his brow.
 But Yankee curiosity was not so easily to be baked of it's food. It found expression in Lawyer Bain.
 That ain't the law, doc,'' he said.
 "I'm the law here," declared Sheriff Schlager, planting himself solidly be- tween the crowd and the coffin. One hand crept slowly back toward his hip.
 Don't pull any gun on me- retorted the lawyer quietly. Tt ain't neces- sary.'
 ''You heard Doc Breed say the body wasn't ntten to be viewed" pursued the sherfn.
 That's all right too But the doc hasn't got the final word. The law has. And the law says. that the body shah be duly viewed. Otherwise, and the deceased being buried without n SN& %1n may be obtaaned.''
 Look at Breed" whispered Kent to Sedgwfck.
 The medical od1ceTs lips were gray as he leaned forward to pluck at the sheriffs arm. There was a whispered colloquy between them. Then Breed spoke. with a pitifuI effort at self con trol:
 Lawyer Bain's point is correct, un- doubted1y correct. But the body must be prepared. It ought to 'a' been looked to last night But somehow. I we Will six citizens kindly volun- teer to fetch the coffin back to my house ?"
 Ten times six offered their services The box was carried out swiftly, fol lowed by the variable hum of excited conjecture. Quickly the room emptied itself except for a few stragg1ers.
 Sedgwick, who had followed the inn promptu cortege with his vision, was brought up sharply by the glare of a pair of eyes outside the nearest win dow. The eyes were fixed on his own. Their expression was distinctly ma leyolent. Without looking round, Sedgwick said in a low voice:
 t'Kent!,'
 No answer came.
 .sKentp' said the artist little louder.
 Huh 9'' responded a mufaed and ab- stracted voice behind him.
 t'See here for a moment
 There was neither sound nor move ment from the scientist
 'tAn Indian looking chap outside the window is trying to hypnotize me or something of the sort
 This information, deemed by its giv- CT to be of no small interest elicfted not the faintest response. Somewhat piqued, the artist turned. to behold his friend stretched on a bench, with face to the ceiling, eyes closed and ed fafntIy in whistle. Sedgwtck shook the whistler insistent1y.
 "Eh2 What? ?' cried Kent, wrench 
 Can't you see Pm busy ?'
 >sI'n give you something to think about Look at this face of a cigar store Indian at the window. No! It's, gonev'
 NGansett Jim, probably opined Kent. ssJugtewhere his interest in this case comes in I haven't yet found out. He favored me with his regard out side And he had some dealings with the sherifr on the beach. But I don't want to talk about him now nor about anything else.r
 Acting on this hint, Sedgwick let his companion severely alone until a bus tie from without warned him that the crowd was returning. Being aroused, Kent accosted one of the villagers who. had just entered.
 Body coming back ?'' he asked.
 ''Yep. On it's way now.
 stWhat occurred In the house where they took it7''
 Search nae! Everybody was shut out by the sheriff and the doc. They had that body to theirselves nigh twen- ty minutes
 At this moment the sheriff entered the hall, followed by pr. Breed. who escorted the coffin to it's supporting sawhorses. The meager physician was visibly at the flag end of his self con trol. Even the burly sheriff looked like sick man as he lifted aside the coffin lid and spoke.
 There was reasons. neigh bors.' said he, s'why the corpse wasn't suitable to be looked at. Nobody had seen 1t since last night We've fixed it up as good as we could and you'll now please pass by as-quick as possible
 In the line that formed Kent got a place behind Elder Dennett. who had decided to take another look for good measure. as he said. The look was a