The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-06-22

 1 a lawyer might be premature, a friend
 in the town might be very useful.
 ffYes,'' he said; from tomorrow on."
 sMeanin' that you're in charge to-
 day." surnised the big man shrewdly.
 Kent smiled. T dare say we shall get on very well together, Mr."- His voice went. up interrogatively.
 "Bain, Adam Bain, attorney and counselor at law for thirty years in the town of AnnaIaka."
 Thank you. My name is Kent. You already know my friends name. What kind of man is this medical of1cer?"
 Breed? Not much. More of poli- tician than a doctor and more of a horse trader than either. Fidgety as sandpaper undershirt.''
 "Did he perform the autopsy at his own house?"
 ''Him and the sheriff last evening. Didn't even have an. undertaken to help lay out.''
 The lobe of Rents ear began to suf- fer from repeated handling. "The body hasn't been identified, I suppose?"
 'fNobody's had 50 much as a wink at it but those two and Ira Bennett. He viewed the corpse last night That's why I guess your friend needs his friends and maybe lawyer
 Exactly. MT. Dennett doesn't seem to be precisely a deaf mute
 Lawyer Bain emitted the bubbling chuckle of the fat throated. s'It's quite some time since Try won any prizes for silent thought he stated 'sYou are known hereabonts?" he add ed after pause.
 $ Every little.''
 'sGansett Jim, wonder, looks as if he kinder cherished the honor of your ac- quaintance."
 Over his shoulder Kent caught the half breeds glance fixed upon him with stolid intensity. A toAch on his arm Sailor Smith faced him.
 Didn't hardly know you with your beard of. ; ptped the d.man. AHowdy, professor7 You're fnickied up like your own wedd4n'. ?
 Good morning.; said the scientist. 'sAre you going inside? Sit with us. won't you? MT. Sedgwfck is with me-
 The ex sailor started. ttHim.'' he ex- claimed. Here? There's been quite a lot O talk
 Suspicion, you mean.''
 Well, yes.''
 People are inclined to connect MT. sedgwick with the death of the wo- man.
 What else can you ezpect?' return ed the old man deprecatingIy. stIry Dennett's been te1lin' his story. He's certain the woman he seen taIkin' to MT. Sedgwick is the dead woman yyfllin' to swear to it anywheres.''
 What about Gansett Jim :? Has he contributed anything to the discus sion?'' 4
 No. Jim's as close -tongued as Try is chatter mouthed.''
 And probably with reason mutter- ed Kent. Well, I'll look for you in side.''
 He returned to join sedgwick. To gether they entered the building, while behind them a rising hum testified to the interest felt in them by the viii lagers.
 Within a tall, wizened man with dead, fshy eyes stalked nervousIy to and fro on a platform, beside which a hastily constructed coffin with a haspz ed cover stood on three sawhorses. On l a chair near by slouched the sheriff, his face red and streaming. Al few perspiring men and women were scat tered on the benches, Outside a clock struck IL There was a quick inflow of the popuIace, and the man on the platform lifted up a chittering voice
 Teller citizens.' he said, sas medical officer I declare these proceedings opened. Meaning no disrespect to the deceased, we want to get through as spry as possible. First we win hear witnesses. Anybody who thinks he can throw any light on this business can have a hearing. Then those as wants may view the remains The burial will take place right afterward in the town buryin ground, our felIer 1 citizen and sheriff, MT. Len Schlager, i having volunteered the expenses