The Secret of Lonesome Cove Part 11

"No."

"I didn't suppose you had. Those manacles are a sticker. I don't-I absolutely do _not_ like those manacles. And on one wrist only! Perhaps that is the very fact, though-Well, we shall know more when we're older; two hours older, say. Whether we shall know all that Mr. Sheriff Len Schlager knows, is another question. I don't like Mr. Schlager, either, for that matter."

"Dennett has seen me," said Sedgwick in a low voice.

Indeed, the narrator's voice had abruptly ceased, and he stood with the dropped jaw of stupefaction. One after another of his auditors turned and stared at the two men in the motor-car.

"Stay where you are," said Kent, and stepped out to mingle with the crowd.

No one recognized, at first, the immaculate flannel-clad _elegante_ as the bearded scientist whose strange actions had amused the crowd on the beach. A heavy solemn man addressed him:

"Friend of his?" he asked, nodding toward the artist.

"Yes."

"He'll need 'em. Going to give evidence?"

"To hear it, rather," replied Kent pleasantly. "Where's the body?"

"Inside. Just brought it over from Doctor Breed's. He's the medical officer, and he and the sheriff are running the show. Your friend want a lawyer, maybe?"

The thought struck Kent that, while a lawyer might be premature, a friend in the town might be very useful.

"Yes," he said; "from to-morrow on."

"Meanin' that you're in charge to-day," surmised the big man shrewdly.

Kent smiled. "I dare say we shall get on very well together, Mr.-" his voice went up interrogatively.

"Bain, Adam Bain, attorney and counselor at law for thirty years in the town of Annalaka."

"Thank you. My name is Kent. You already know my friend's name. What kind of man is this medical officer?"

"Breed? Not much. More of a politician than a doctor, and more of a horse trader than either. Fidgety as a sandpaper undershirt."

"Did he perform the autopsy at his own house?"

"Him and the sheriff last evening. Didn't even have an undertaker to help lay out."

The lobe of Kent's ear began to suffer from repeated handling. "The body hasn't been identified, I suppose?"

"n.o.body's had so much as a wink at it but those two and Ira Dennett. He viewed the corpse last night. That's why I guess your friend needs _his_ friends and maybe a lawyer."

"Exactly. Mr. Dennett doesn't seem to be precisely a deaf mute."

Lawyer Bain emitted the bubbling chuckle of the fat-throated. "It's quite some time since Iry won any prizes for silent thought," he stated.

"You are known, hereabouts?" he added, after a pause.

"Very little."

"Gansett Jim, yonder, looks as if he kinder cherished the honor of your acquaintance."

Over his shoulder Kent caught the half-breed's glance fixed upon him with stolid intensity. A touch on his arm made him turn to the other side, where Sailor Smith faced him.

"Didn't hardly know you, with your beard off," piped the old man.

"Howdy, Professor! You're finickied up like your own weddin'."

"Good morning," said the scientist. "Are you going inside?"

"No hurry," said the other. "Hotter'n Tophet in there."

"I want a good seat; so I think I'll go in at once," said Kent. "Sit with us, won't you? Mr. Sedgwick is with me."

The ex-sailor started. "Him?" he exclaimed. "Here?"

Kent nodded. "Why not?"

"No reason. No reason at all," said the old seaman hastily. "It's a public proceedin'."

"But you're surprised to see him here?"

"There's been quite a lot o' talk-"

"Suspicion, you mean."

"We-ell, yes."

"People are inclined to connect Mr. Sedgwick with the death of the woman?"

"What else can you expect?" returned the old man deprecatingly. "Iry Dennett's been tellin' his story. He's certain the woman he seen talkin'

to Mr. Sedgwick is the dead woman. Willin' to swear to it anywheres."

"What about Gansett Jim? Has he contributed anything to the discussion?"

"No. Jim's as close-tongued as Iry is clatter-mouthed."

"And probably with reason," muttered Kent. "Well, I'll look for you inside."

He returned to join Sedgwick. Together they entered the building, while behind them a rising hum testified to the interest felt in them by the villagers.

Within, a tall wizened man, with dead fishy eyes, stalked nervously to and fro on a platform, beside which a hastily constructed coffin with a hasped cover stood on three sawhorses. On a chair near by slouched the sheriff, his face red and streaming. A few perspiring men and women were scattered on the benches. Outside a clock struck eleven. There was a quick inflow of the populace, and the man on the platform lifted up a chittering voice.

"Feller citizens," he said, "as medical officer I declare these proceedings opened. Meaning no disrespect to the deceased, we want to get through as spry as possible. First we will hear witnesses. Anybody who thinks he can throw any light on this business can have a hearing.

Then those as wants may view the remains. The burial will take place right afterwards, in the town buryin'-ground, our feller citizen and sheriff, Mr. Len Schlager, having volunteered the expenses."

"That man," said Sedgwick in Kent's ear, "is a great deal more nervous this minute than I am."

"Perhaps he has more cause to be," whispered the scientist. "Here comes the first witness."