Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-10-31

BY SAMUEL HOPKINS ADAMS
coPyrisht. 1912. by the Bobb.-n.r;u
Company

sheriff that's worrying me-
Who. then?"
''Gansett Jim
What did the sheriff mean by ask
Ing Gansett Jim where he was the
night OF the MURDER"
Murder" said Kent quizzicaliy.
What MURDER
The murder OF the unknown wo-
man. OF course think that Gansett
Jim killed Ter and is trying 10 turn
suspicion on me-"
"Humphr'
/ But II the sheriff knows where
Gansett Jim was at the time OF the
killing. he can't suppose me guilty. I
wonder IL he really does believe me
/ guilty."
IF he does. he doesn't care. His con-
Germ is quite apart from your guilt"
It's too much for me-" confessed
the artist
And for me That is why 1 am
| going back to the village"
But ! thought you were fright
ened.''
IF l stayed away from everything
/ that alarms me-" said Kent. I'D never
have a tooth filed or speak TO
woman under seventy. I'm a timid
: soul, Sedgwick. but | don't think /
shall be in any danger in Annalaka so
long as I'm alone. Here we are. Cut
with you, I'll be back by evening
To his surprise. Kent. turning into
the village square. found the crowd
still lingering. A new focus OF in
terest had drawn ii to a spot opposite
Sterretts store. where a wagon. deco
rated in the most advanced style OF
circus art. shone brilliant in yellow
and green Bright red letters across
the front presented to public admira-
ton the legend:
SIMON P. GROOT
SIMON PURE GOODS
a stout projection rested on one OF
the rear wheels. Here stood the pro-
prietor OF the vehicle. while behind
him in a window were displayed his
wares IL was evident that Simon +.
Groot followed the romantic career or
an itineraut hawker. dealing in that
wide range OF commodities roughly
comprised in the quaint term. yam
kee notions Kent was struck with
the expansive splendor OF the mans
gestures. the dignity Of his robust
figure and the beauty of n broad
whitening beard that spread sidewIse
like the rippIes from a boats stem.
Two blemishes unhappiIy married the
majesty Of Simon +. GrOot's presence
"A pair OF pinhead eyes. mutually at
tracted 70 each other. and 4 mean and
stringent little voice.
There gentlemen and ladies'" ST
mon +. GroOt was saying. there in
hat place 81 vast siences and Unfold
ing shadows I met and addressed one
who was soon TO be no more. Madam.
/ said. you are worn. You are wan.
You are weary. Trust the chivalry OF /
one who might be your father. Rest |
and he comfOrted as with balm \
Standing by the roadside. she dropped /
Ike "A dover. There j. no rest for I
me- she said in mournfti tones. 1 1
must away upon my mission.
she vunished. that fair creature, into I
the forest 1 looked At my witch
the uuerrinG. unwarranted. sixteen 4
jeweled thermometer which shall
presently have the honor Of showing .
TO you at the unexampled price of
three sevcuty-and saw that the hour
was exactiy-for these timepieces vary
not one fraction Of second day
10. When next I looked At the face
Of Father Times trustiest accountant.
II was 10 mark the hour OF the horrid
shrek that shook my soul-precisely
9.3I. And later. when l heard the
dread news. realized that my ears
had thrilled 10 a death cry
Kent moved away. his chin pressed
down upon his chest He went to the
office OF LAWYER Adam Balm and spent
an hour waiting with his feet propped
I'D on the desk. When the lawyer en-
tered Kent remarked:
..You rather put our two official
friends in a hole this morning."
Just a mite maybe. But they've
crawled out. guess l spoke too
quick"
How soy !
well. II they'd gone ahead and
buried the body as it was we could
have had # cxhumed And then we'd
have seen what we'd have seen.
True enough. And you didn't see it
az 81 was?'
See what? Did Your
suppose Kent said. ''you give me
the fullest possible character sketch OF
Dir inpuIsive friend. the sheriff
Half an hour was consumed In this
process A. the end OF the time hent
-troIled back 20 the square. where
simon r. GroOt had been discoursinS.
There he found the ornate wagon
.Iosed and its ornate proprietor whis-
ling over some minor repairs that he
iad been making. An invitation to
nike a ride In Kent's car was promptly
iccepted-
Business first" said Kent "YoI're ,
! seller. I'm a buyer You've got ,
,orne information that may want 1T ,
10 I'm reudy TO pay Was any or your :
ak trueE' q
Yep" replied Simon +. Groot aus :
erely. 1T was all true but the rms. Z
..WiH you trim on the frilis for sioE I
..r--L.- A.nILu.. fnr q mir prize Is nv .