The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1915-03-05


"But say cried Kent in apparent
" uncomfortable agitation; did your
stars tell you that she had lost some
jewelry? Tell me, is that how you
kneww
In his eagerness he caught at the
astrOlogers arm, the right one, and his
long fingers, gathering in the ample
folds Of the gown, pressed nervously
upon the wrist. Preston Jax WINGED
away. All the excited vapidity passed
from Kent's speech at once.
"The Jewels which this lady has
lost" he said very quietly, ''are q set
Of unique rose topazes. l thought-in
fact, l felt that you could, with or
without the aid Of your stars, help her
to recover them
Blackness, instant and impenetrable,
was the answer to this. Kent raised
his voice the merest trifle.
"Unless you wish to be arrested 1
advise you not to leave this place. Not
by either exit"
ARRESTED on what charger" came
half chokingly out of the darkness.
THEFT"
81 didn't take them"
Murder then"
"My GOd!' So abject was the terror
and misery in the cry that Kent felt
sorry for the wretch. Then, with
certain logged bitterness, 81 don't care
what you know; didn't kill her.
'That is very likely true" replied
Kent soothingly. But it is what l
must know in detail. Find your foot
lever and turn on the light"
The two visitors could hear the as
trologer grope heavily. AS the light
flashed on they saw, with shock, that
he was on all tours. 1t was as if
Kent's word had felled him. Instant
ly he was up, however, and said
what am up against? How did
you find me?"
Thrusting his hand in his pocket the
scientist brought out little patch of
black cloth, with a single star skill
fully embroidered on it.
wild blackberry has long thorns
and sharp" he said you left this
latter on Hawkill cliffs
At the name the mans chin muscle
throbbed with his effort to hold his
teeth steady against chattering.
what do you want?"
"a fair exchange. My name is Ches-
ter Kent"
The starmaster's chin worked con-
vulsively. 'The Kent that broke up
the Co-ordinated Spiritism Circle?"
Yes"
"It's all bargaining with the devil"
| observed Preston Jax grimly. whats
the exchange?"
Il do not believe that you are guilty
of murder. Tell me the whole story
| plainly and straight, and I'll clear you
in so far as I can believe you inno-
cent
For the first time the seers chin was
at peace.
''The topazes are cached under rock
near the cliff. l couldn't direct you,
, but l could show. you"
SIN time you shall. One moment
AS you realize you are under presump-
ton of murder. Do you know the iden-
tity of the victim?'
"Of Astraea? That's all l know
about her. l don't even know her last
name"
''Why Astraea?"
"That's the way she signed herself.
She seemed to think / knew all about
/ her without being told"
"And you played up to that belief?"
"Well. of course. l did"
eyes. you naturally would But If
you had no name to write to how could
you answer the letters%'
Through personal advertisements.
She had made out a CODE She was
smart one in some ways, | can tell
you"
"Have you any of the letters here?"
"Only the last one"
Bring it to me"
| Obediently as an intimidated child,
the astrologer left the room. presently
returning with plain sheet of paper
with handwriting on one SIDE
With dropping head and chin
a-twitch the master of stars stood
studying Mrs. Blair and Kent while
they read the letter together 1t was
In two handwritings, the date, address
and body of the letter being in clear
running character, while the signature,
"Astraea,' was in very fine. minute,
detached lettering. The note read:
All is now ready. You are but to carry
out our arrangements implicitly. The
place Is known to you. There can be no
difficulty In your finding it. At two hours
after shutdown of July the 9Th we shall be
there. Our ship will be in waiting. All
will be as before. Fail me not. Your re-
ward shall be greater than you dream.
ASTRAEA.
Kent folded and pocketed the letter.
Had you ever been to this place be-
fore?" Kent asked of Jax.
mo"
Then how did you expect to find
it?"
"She sent me a map. lost it-that
night"
What about the ship?"
81 wish you'd tell me- There wasn't