Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-02-09
Ernm Out The Sand

AT 3 o'clock the next morning
while Geoff was mixing concrete ana
whiXtlins his monotonousiy un-
changing refrain, Il black motorcar
OF unfnlstakable lines drove slowly
In at the gate and up to the front
door. IRON where lie stood beside
the Caylcy's unfinished garage he
could get stfaignta"ay view OF lhe
main drive, and his whistling ceased
while involuntariiy mis- hand went
up 10 the cap upon his head. For
the last time Joseph Benkard was
returning to the lone OF his sister.
Then tGe mason shoOk his lead
stlIbbornly to himself replaced the
zap and. turning his back. went de-
Iibcratciy on With his work. 1t was
up to the family, not him, TO show
respect for their dead.
lie heard tic ear drive away,
empty, at Il more brisk pace, and u
few minutes thereafter came the
sound OF u second motor. the familiar
rlattcr OF Hanks station jitney.
GeoR turned once more and stood
staring while IL passed the corner OF
tho house front. turned. halted. and
in another moment, reappcared,
gathering speed as 1t lutched wildly
toward the gates. lie caught just II
with gray hair showing beneath an
immaculate straw hat. and with a
small, pointed gray beard.
From Doc Hoods description, that
could be none other than Mr.. New
bury, the family lawyer: and he was
cvid ntly in some haste to get to
tow.
Geoff had bent 10 his task again
when a genial voice hailed him, and
lie iuohed up to find himself con-
fronted by a red haired, freckle-
faced young man. who stood with
his hat on the back of his head and
his hands in his pockets. regarding
him with an infcctiously good -natur-
cd smile.
"Hcllo. Ruddc, You the whole
works around here" he asked.
Looks like II, don't ito" The an
swcring friondliness in Gcoff's tone
Offset the bluntnoss of the reply, hut
his mild brown eyes narrowed
slightly. Fresh young city teller
in cheap store clothes. nosing
around where he had no business 10
he and asking fool llcstions to
scrape acquaintance. fhcrc could
hc only one explanation of his
presence, and he was probably the
iorcrunncr OF u whole crew. Gcoff
went on mixing concrete.
sure does" The Young man bal
anced himself nonchalantly on the
edge of tho wheclbarrow. Been
Gre since the job started
"Om and on
Were YOU here Yesterday morn
ing when Mr.. Benkard's body was
found? There must have been n lot
OF excitement around the place"
t,,,n'g u-hp nnI
ing. Tell us about it. like good
fellow"
"Nin't uothin' to tell | didn't see
no excitement. Folks kept comm
and goin', but It wasn't none q my
business. and that's bout all | got
time for" Geoff spoke with good
hunorcd emphasis. but the other
was imprcvious TO hints.
Didn't YOU get look at the body
before II was moved? What WAS
tho first YOU knew of the murder
sec here. I'll make it worth ypnr
while
Young man." Geof Strengthened
and eyed him blandly, "the only
thing that's worth my while right
now is To git this concrete into the
molds before she sets. and I've got
To have that wheelbarrer to do it.
Your business. too. whatever It's, or
Xcke Foster. the police lieutenant
that's comm down the drive. might
mistake YOU for one O these here
city reporter fcllers, and he's death
ON en-"
"Right-o, Thanks for the tip
Tho frcCkled youth slid Oft the bar
row, grinulng chcerfully even in de
feat. You think 1t over, and. II
you'd like 70 talk to mo when you
knock off for dinner. I'll be down by
that tourists soft-drink stand on
the main road.
The rcd head disappeared among
tho trees in the direction of the
hedge. Xekc Foster had gone around
the other side Il the house. and Geoft
resumed his piping whistle when
again 4 voice greeted him. this time
in low. rich. feminine tones.
Good morning. Geoffrey." He
turned quickly. removing his cap,
for Mrs. Ca%leys guest. Vera Shor-
wood. stood before him. She was
clad in soft gray gown and her
face was colorless as marble. but the
mass Of red brown hair glowed like
molten copper in the sun.
Good mornin'. nla'am." Gcoff
gave her one of his rare smiles. Il
hope | amt disturbin' folks up nj
the house by worllin' round out mere,
but when l start a job like to at
through with 1t.
II think most OF us do" She
smiled family in reply. 81 haven't
heard any ono complain. although,
OF course, you have done no work in
side:'
Il puttered round a mite yestiddy
rXin' up things here and there while