The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1938-04-21
8 AUrOCASTR

CVC4s ~ COOA0 NE 0ASzAOeSAJ -
cred by the police. wonder.
"This situation upsets," Markham
rumbled at length. "The newspap-
ers were full of it this morning, as
you may have noticed"
81 must get some action. This
new note changes the whole com
plexion of things"
'Tut, tut" Vance's admonitior
was almost frivolous. Really, y
know, it changes nothing. It was
precisely what was waitin' for"
WELL" snapped Markham, snow
that you have it, what do you in
tend to do?"
"Why, I intend to go to the Pur-
pie House." Vance said calmly.
I'm not psychic, but something tells
me we shall find hand pointin' to
our future activities when we ar
rive there"
"WelL if that's your idea," de-
manded Markham, "why didn't you
go with Fleel?"
Merely wished to give him Sutfl-
cient time to break the news to the
others and to discuss the matter
with brother Kenyon. Nothing like
letting every one know the details
of the case. Well get forrader that
way"
At the Renting residence we found
Kenyon Renting. Fleel, young Fall
loway, and Porter Quaggy assem-
bled in the drawing-room.
did you bring the note with
you, gentlemen" Renting asked
Immediately, with frightened eager
ness. ''Fleel told me just what's in
it, but I'd like to see the message
itself"
Vance nodded and took the note
from his pocket, placing it on the
small desk near him..
Renting, without word, took
the folded piece of paper from its
envelope, and read it carefully.
what do you think should be
done about it?" Markham asked
him. Personally, I'm not inclined
to have you meet that demand just
yet"
Renting shook his head in per-
turbed silence. At last he said:
'I'd always feel guilty and selfish
if I did anything else. If didn't
comply with this request and any
thing should really happen to Kas-
par"
"But I've no idea exactly how
I'm going to raise that much
money-and at such short notice
It'll pretty well reak me, even if
can manage to get together"
81 can help contribute to the
fund.-" offered Quaggy, in hard
tone.
"And I'd like to do something
too," put in Fleel, shut, as you
know, my personal funds are pretty
well depleted at this time AS 9
trustee of the Renting estate
couldn't use that money for such q
purpose without a court order. And
I couldn't get one in such a limited
time"
Fraim Fallow stood back against
the wall, listening intently.
why don't you let it go?" he
suggested, with malicious queru-
lousness. "Kaspar's not worth that
much money to any one, if you ask
me. And how do you know you're
going to save his life, anyway"
"Shut up, Fraim!' snapped Kent
ing.
Young Fallow shrugged indiffer.
emily.
II say, Mr.. Fleel," put in Vance
"just what would be the financial
standing of Mrs. Renting in the
hypothetical case that Kaspar Kent
ing should die? Would she bene-
fit by his demise-that is, to whom
would Kaspar Kenting's share in
the estate go?"
'To his wife," answered Fleel.
"Sure," said Fraim galloway
sulkily, my sister gets everything,
and there are no strings attached
to it. Kapar ha never done the
right thing by Sis, anyway, and it's
about time she was coming in for
something. That's why say it's
rank nonsense to give up all this
money to get Kaspar back. Nobody
here thinks he's worth fifty cents,
if they'll be frank"
IA sweet and lovable point OF
view," murmured Vance. s"I sup
pose your sister is very lenient with
you whenever possible?"
It was Kenyon Renting who an
swered.
that's it exactly, Mr.. Vance.
She's the kind that would sacrifice
everything for her brother and hel
mother. That's natural, perhaps
But, after all, Kaspar is my broth
or and think S0noethino ought fc