The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1922-04-14

been almost violently active and who
had once been lake captain. / can
not tell you what they all we're
geology, ethnology, nearly score of
subjects; he correspondent with vari-
Gus scientific societies; he has given
almost the whole of his attention to
such things for about twenty years.
But he has made very few acquaint-
ances In that time, and has kept
almost none Of his old friendships.
He has lived alone in the house on
Astor street with only one servant
the same one all these years.
"The only house he has visited with
any frequency has been mine. He has
always liked my wife; he had-he has
great affection for my daughter, who,
when she was child, ran in and out
of his home as she pleased. My
daughter believes now that his present
Observation-Disclosures has hap
pened to him-is connected in some
way with herself. I do not think that
is So"
Sheriff. broke off and stood in
thought for moment; ne seemed to
consider, and to decide that it was
not necessary to say anything more
on that subject.
us there anything in what 7 have
told you which makes it possible for
you to recollect or to explain?
. Alan shook his head, flushed, and
then grew little pale. What Sheriff.
told him had excited him by the COIN
cidences it offered between events in
Benjamin Corvet's life and his own ;
it had not made him "recollect"
Corvet, but it had given definiteness
and direction to his speculationS as
to Corvet's relation to himself.
Sheriff. drew one of the large chairs
nearer to Alan and sat down facing
him. He felt in an inner pocket and
brought out an envelope; from the en-
lvelope he took three pictures, and
handed the smallest of them to Alan.
As Alan took it, he saw that it was
tintype of himself as round-faced
boy of seven.
"That is you?" Sheriff. asked
"Yes; it was taken by the photog-
rapher in Blue Rapids"
"And this?"
The second picture, Alan saw, was
one that had been taken in front of
the barn at the farm. 1t showed Alan
at twelve, in overalls and barefooted,
holding stick over his head at which
a shepherd dog was jumping.
"Yes, that is Shep and 1, Mr. Sher-
rill. 1t was taken by man who
stopped at the house for dinner one
day; he liked Shep and wanted a
picture of him; so he got me to make
Shep jump, and he took it."
Doesn't it occur to you that it was
your picture he wanted, and that he
had been sent to get it? 1 wanted
your verification that these earlier
pictures were of you, but this last one
is easily recognizable"
Sheriff. unfolded the third picture
it was larger than the others and had
been folded across the middle to get
it into the envelope. Alan leaned for
ward to look at it.
"That is the University of Kansas
football team" he said. 81 am the
second one in the front row; / played
end my Junior year and tackle when
was a senior. Mr.. Corvet-?"
Eyes; Mr.. Corvet had these pictures.
They came into my possession day be-
fore yesterday, the day after Coryot
disappeared; do not want to tell just
yet how they did that"
Alan's face, which had been flushed
at first with excitement, had gone
quite pale, and his hands, as he
clenched and unclenched them nerv-
ously, were cold, and his lips were
very dry. He could think of no pos
sible relationship between Benjamin
Corvet and himself, except one, which
could account for Corvet's obtaining
and keeping these pictures of him
through the years.
81 think you know who am" Alan
said.
"You have guessed, if am not mis-
taken, that you are Corvet's son."
The color famed to Alan's face for
an instant. then left it paler than be-
fore. 81 thought 1t must be that way"
he answered; "but you said he had no
children"
benjamin Corvet and his wife had
no children"
81 thought that vas what you
meant" a twinge twisted Alan's
face; he tried to control it but for a
moment could not
do not misapprehend your father"
Sheriff. said quietly. Il cannot pre-
vent what other people may think
when they learn this; but 1 do not
share such thoughts with them. There
is much in this 1 cannot understand
but know that it is not merely the
result of what others may think it
of "a wife in more ports than one
as you will hear the lakemen put it.
What lies under this is some great
misadventure which had changed and
frustrated all your fathers life"
Sheriff. crossed the room and rang
for a servant.
81 am going to ask you to be my
guest for short time. Alan" he an
nounced. 81 have had your bag
carried to your room; the man will
show you which one it is"
Alan hesitated; he felt that Sheriff.
had not told him all he knew-that
there were some things Sheriff. pur-
posely was Withholding from him; but
he could not force Sheriff. to tell more
than he wished; so after an instant's
irresolution. he accepted the dismissal.
Sheriff. walked with him to the
door, and gave his directions to the