Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1914-08-12
CHAPTER VII.
Copyright, 1912, by the Bobbs>Merrill
Cornnanu

1Ownv' he shouted. eff there's to be
any accusin done here, I'll do it,
II do it, persisted the half breed.
BLOOD is on his han. I see it,
Involuntarily Sedgwick looked at his
right hand. There was a low grOwl
from the crowd.
"Steadyr' came Kent's voice at his
elbow. mistakes like that are Judge
Lynch's evidence"
"Whah was he the night of the kill
imp cried Gansett Jim. 'Ast 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" adj
vised SchlaGer ii q half whisper.
THANK YOU said Kent in a clear
and cheerful voice. "Where can l get
some tObacco?"
'Sterretts grocery keeps the best"
said some 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
fieIds?''
''Policy, my young friend" retorted
Kent Il 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. / don't want perfectly
good runabout spoiled by a mob.''
| Both of them went in Sterrett'S store,
where Kent earned the reputation
from Sterrett of being awful dang
| choosy about what he gets" and came
out into considerable part Off the
! pOpulace, which had followed AS they
re-embarked the sheriff put his foot on
| the running board.
Better take my tip" he said sig
nificantly.
Every well,'' returned Kent. 'There
will be no arrest. then?"
mot just now
A peculiar smile slid sideWise off a
corner of the scientists long jaw.
Nor at any other time" he concluded,
! He threw in the clutch. When the
! car had won the open road beyond the
village Sedgwick remarked:
Queer line the sheriff is taking.''
Poor Schlager!'' said Kent, chuck
| ling. mo other line is open to him.
He's in a tight place. But it isn't the
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 quizZically.
what murder?''
'The murder Of the unknown wo-
man. of course. l think that Gansett
Jim killed Ter and is trying to turn
suspicion on me-"
"Humphv'
"But if the sheriff knows where
Gansett Jim was at the time of the
killing, he can't suppose me guilty. !
wonder If he really does believe me
guilty?"
If he does, he doesn't care. His con-
Germ Is quite apart from your guilt"
Its too much for me-" confessed
the artist
"And for me. That is why / am
going back to the village"
But l thought you were fright
ened."
III l stayed away from everything
} that alarms me-" said Kent. I'D never
have a tooth filed or speak to q
| UnUCA seventy. Ia umlI
soul, Sedgwtck. but 1 don't think
shall be in any danger in Annalaka 81
long as I'm alone. Here we are Gu
with you! I'll be back by evening"
To his surprise. Kent turning int
the village square. found the GROVE
still lingering. A new focus of in
terest had drawn 1t to a spot opposit
Sterrett's store, where a wagon, deco
rated in the most advanced style O
circus art, shone brilliant in yellow
and green. Bright red letters acros
the front presented to public admira
ton the legend:
SIMON p GROOT
SIMON PURE GOODS
A stout projection rested IN ono a