The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1915-02-12

The object seemed to be swathed in
sacking Kent let it fall to the
ground. where it Topped and lay. "All
right" said he. with a strong exhala-
tion Of relief. Il knew it must be.
And yet-well, one never is absolute
In certainty. And II I'd been wrong
think. Frank. we could proftably have
used that gun on ourselves. You can
drop it now. Come over here"
Courageous though Sedgwick was.
his nerves were of highly sensitive
order. He shuddered back. II don't
believe can do it. Chef"
'You must. As witness. Come.
brace upw
Setting the bullseye lantern down,
Kent produced pocketknife. Sedg
wick drew long breath. and, walk
ing over, crouched, steeling his nerves
against the revelation that should come
| when the cords should be cut and the
swathings reveal their contents. "If
| | keel over, don't let me tumble into
the grave" he said simply and choked
the last word off from becoming cry
Of horror as he beheld his friend drive
| the knife blade to the hilt in the body
| and then whip it across and downward
with a long ripping draw under which
the harsh cloth sang hideously.
"Open your eyes. Look, look!' cried
Kent heartily.
A strong trickle of sand flowed out
Of the rent in the sack and spread upon
the ground.
"That is ALL" said Kent.
Relief camored within Sedgwick for
expression. He began to laugh in
short choking spasms.
"Quiet" warned Mr. Blair, in a bro
ken tone Of appeal. you've found out
the secret. God knows what you'll
do with it, But there are innocent
people in the house. What is this mat
ter? Blackmail?''
Kent's face withdrew. as it were, be-
hind his inscrutable half SMILE
"Peace, if you will.' said he. "A truce
at least"
81 should like to know just how
much you know"
IAN offer. will tell you whenever
you are ready to tell me all that you
know. l think we are mutually in
need of each other"
II wish you were at the bottom Of
that pit" retorted the other grimly.
"You and your scoundrel Of friend
with YOU"
THANK you for myself" said Sedg-
wick. IF you were twenty years
younger l would break every bone in
your body for that"
STEADY, Frank" put in Kent. Judge
no man by his speech who has been
through what Alexander Blair has
been through tonight. Mr.. Blair" he
added. you've refused my offer. 1t
is still open. And as an extra 1 will
undertake for Mr.. Sedgwick and my
self that this nights affair shall be
kept secret. And, now, the next thing
is to cover the evidence. Spades,
Frank
The two men took up their tools.
I'll spell you," said Alexander
Blair, and they hurriedly reinterred
the sack of clean sand which bore the
name of Wilfrid Blair.
'And now" said Chester Kent, pet
ting his blistered palms as the last
shovelful of dirt was tamped down,
"I'll take you back with me, Mr.. Sher-
lift, to Sedgwick's place and do the
best | can for you till the morning.
About o'clock We'll find you uncon-
scious below the cliffs where you fell
in the darkness. Eh?"
Despite his pain the sheriff grinned.
II guess that's as good as the next
lie," he acquiesced. you fight fair,
professor"
Then answer me a fair question.
What were you doing at Hedgerow
house tonight?'
why, you see,' drawled the Off
cial, II saw you fshin' that stream,
and it come to my mind that you was
castin around for more than trout
that wasn't there. But | didn't hard
ly think you'd come SO soon, and
was asleep when the noise Of the
spade on the coffin woke me-
bad work and clumsy" commented
Kent, with scowl "Come along.
My car will carry three. Sedgwick
can sit on the floor. Good night Mr..
Blair. All aboard. Frank"
There was no answer.
what became Of Sedgwick?" de-
manded Kent.
"He was here half q minute ago.
I'll swear to that" muttered the sher-
iff
Kent stared anxiously about him.
Frank. Frank he called half under
his breath.
mot too loud" besought Alexander
Blair.
The clouds closed over the moon.
Somewhere in the open twig cracked.
Sedgwick had disappeared.
Hope had surged up sudden and
fierce in Sedgwick's heart at the CLEAN
of a candle in Hedgerow house. Silent
ly he laid his revolver beside his spade
and slipped into the shadows.
Ha hand Eapt,S iypno tiant uuopu