The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1914-09-04

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"On the under side Of the grating
found a cocoon OF a common moth
Half an hour in the water would ha W
soaked the cocoon through and killed
the insect inhabitant. The insect was
alive" s.
How'd the grating get there. them
dragged down from the high waite,
mark on the beach. 1t was an old
half rOttcd affair such as no shin,
would carry. Ask Sailor Smith"
''That'S true said the did sea mi
with conviction.
"YOu're an expert. Mr.. Smith. Now.
was that grating large enough to tioa,
q full grown human bOdy?"
why. as to that, a body amt but n
mite heavier than the water. | should
say it'd just barely float it. maybe"
"ExactIy. but plus several pounds OF
clothing and some dead metal extra?'
NO"
THE clothes would have been soak
ed. and handouts weigh something
said Kent calmly.
There might have been extra spars
under the grating that got pounded
loose on the beach and washed away"
propOunded the medical officer des-
perately.
Look at the face" said Kent. with
linality. This is a bad coast. Most
Of you nave seen drowned bodies. Did
any one ever see an expression Of such
terror and agony on the face Of one
who came to death by drowning?"
mo. by thunder" shouted somebody
He's right"
Others took up the cry. ClamOr rose
and spread in the room. The sheriff
Silenced it with a stentOrian voice.
What are you trying to get at?" he
demanded, facing Kent.
''The truth. What are yOuT"
SchIager's eyeIids hickered. but he
ignored the commensurate. Look out
it don't lead you where you won't want
to follow" he returned. with a signif.
can look at Sedgwick.
This is as far as it has led me-
! said Kent in his clear. ever voice. THE
body. already dead. was dragged down
and soaked in the sea and her dashed
to the grating by a man who probably
is or has been a sailor"
'"Then the deceased met death on
shore. and presumably by violence"
said Lawyer Rain
Its MURDER" cried a woman
Shrilly. "Rloody murder! That's what
it ISL
Murder" echoed a voic: from the
doorway. Gansett Jim. his half Indian.
half negro face alight with fury. stood
| there pointing with stiffened hand at
Sedgwick. Dab de murderer"
CHAPTER vi.
Simon p. Groot Does Business.
\ 70 one moved in the courtroom,
NJ for appreciable seconds aftei
that prOnOuncement.
First to recover from the sur
prise was the sheriff. You. Jim, set
down." he shouted. IF there's to.Ile
any accusin' done here. III do it. ""Tr.
II do it," persisted the half breed.
Blood is on his han. l see it,"
InvOluntarily Sedgwick looked at his
right hand. There was a low growl
from the crowd.
Steady" came Kent's voice at his
elbow. mistakes like that are Judge
Lynch's evidence"
"Whah was he the night of the kill
in'?" cried Gansett Jim. Asst him.
Whah was he?"
where was you if it comes to
that?" retOrted the sheriff and bit his
lip with a scOwl.
At that betrayal Chester Kent's eye
lids flashed up and instantly dropped
again into sOmberness.
'"This hearing is adjourned" twit-
tered the medical officer. Burial of
the unknown will take place at once.
All are invited"
During their slow progress to the
door Kent kept up a running com
ment. which Sedgwick supported with
equal GOODNESS. The crowd. darkling
and undecided. pressed around them.
As they went through the doorway
they were jostled by a sudden pres
sure. following which Kent felt a touch
] on his shoulder. He turned to face the
sheriff. .
Better get out Of town quick ad-
vised Schlager in a half whisper.
THANK you" said Kent In a clear
and cheerful voice. Where can l get
some tobaccoT'
"Sterrett's grocery keeps the best"
said ONE informant back Of him.
END Of the square to the right"
Much obliged" said Kent and stroll
ed leisurely to his car. followed by
Sedgwick. As they took their seats
and started slowly through the crowd
Sedgwick inquired earnestly:
DO you crave tobacco at this par
ticular moment worse than you do the
peace and loneliness Of the green
fields?"
"Policy, my young friend" retorted
Kent. 81 wish l could think up a
dozen more errands to do. The more
casually we get out Of town the less
likely we are to be followed by a flight
Of rocks. I don't want a perfectly
good runabOut spoiled by a mob
Both Of them went in Sterrett's store.