Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1922-04-28

your picture ne wanted, ana tnat ne
had been sent to get 1t? wanted
your verification that these earlier
pictures were Of you, but this last one
is easily recognizable"
Sheriff. unfolded the third picture;
1t was larger than the others and had
been folded across the middle to get
1t into the envelope. Alan leaned for
ward to look at it.
"That Is the University Of Kansas
football team,' he said II am the
second one in the front row; played
end my junior year and tackle when
l was a senior. Mr.. Corvet-?"
"Yes; Mr.. Coryet had these pictures
They came into my possession day be-
fore yesterday, the day after Gorvet
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.
II 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 it must be that way"
he answered "but you said he had no
children"
"Benjamin Corvet and his wife had
no children
II thought that was what you
meant twfnge twisted A1an'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 I do not
share such thoughts with them. There
is much in this I 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 1t.
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.
II am going to ask you to be my
guest for a short time, Alan," he un-
nounced. @"I have had your bag
carried to your room; the man Will
show you which one 1t 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 tnstants
irresolution, he accepted the dismissal.
Sheriff. walked with him to the
door, and gave his directions to the
servant; he stood watching, as Alan
and the man went up the stairs. Then
he went back and seated himself In
the chair Alan had occupied, and sat
with hands grasping the arms OF the
chair while he stared into the fire.
He seemed to be considering and de-
batting something within himself; and
presently he seemed to come to a de-
cision. He went up the stairs and on
the second floor he went to a front
room and knocked. Alan's voice told
him to come In. Sheriff. went in and,
when he had made sure that the sery-
ant was not with Alan, he closed the
door carefully behind him.
Then he turned back to Alan, and
for an instant stood indecisive as
though he did not know how to begin
what he wanted to say. AS he glanced
down at key he took from his pocket,
his indecision seemed to receive di-
rection and inspiration from it; and
he put it down on Alans dresser.
''Tve brought you," he said evenly,
,"the key to your house"
Alan gazed at him, bewildered. 1.-THE
key to my hOuseT'