Samuel Hopkins Adams

“ By its gleam Sedgwick saw Kent striving to force his spade-edge under the coffin lid, to pry it loose. The chuckle sounded again.
“That’s enough,” said a heavy voice, with a suggestion of mirthful appreciation.
Sheriff Len Schlager stepped from behind a tree. He held a revolver on Kent. Sedgwick made a swift motion and the muzzle swung accurately on him.
“Steady, Frank,” warned Kent anxiously.
“I’m steady enough,” returned the other. “What a fool I was not to bring a gun.”
“Oh, no,” contradicted the scientist. “Of what use is my gun? We’re in the light, and he is in the shadow.” ”

“ Stricken with amazement at the hatred in the tone, Sedgwick stood staring. But Kent stepped before the advancing man. “This won’t do,” he said firmly. “We can’t any of us afford killing.”
“I can,” contradicted Mr. Blair.
“You would gain nothing by it. If one of us is killed the other will finish the task. You know what I am here for, Mr. Blair. I purpose to open that coffin and then go.” ”

“ Blair’s arm rose, steady and slow, with the inevitable motion of machinery.
“If you shoot,” pointed out Kent, “you will rouse the house. Is there no one there from whom you wish to conceal that coffin?” ”

“ Schlager lay still, moaning a little.
“Good work, my boy,” approved Kent, who had retrieved the revolver.
“Who clubbed me?” groaned the fallen man. “I didn’t see no third feller. And what good’s it going to do you, anyway? There you are, and there’s the robbed grave. Exaggerated by assault on an officer of the law,” he added technically.
“That is right, too, Kent,” added Sedgwick with shaking voice. “Whatever we do, I don’t see but what we are disgraced and ruined.”
“Unless,” suggested Kent with mild-toned malice, “we rid ourselves of the only witness to the affair.” ”

“ La ruse gagne. Quand lui donnerai le coup de pied, battez-le á terre.”
“What’s that gibberish?” demanded Schlager.
“Very well,” said Sedgwick quickly, in the tone of one who accepts instructions. “I’ll be still enough. Go ahead and do the talking.”
“Better both keep still,” advised the deceived sheriff. “Anything you say can be used against you at the trial. And the penalty for body-snatching is twenty years in this state.”
“Yes; but what constitutes body-snatching?” murmured Kent.
“You do, I guess,” retorted the humorous sheriff. “Steady with those hands. Which pocket, please, Professor?” ”

“ Delving, even in the most favorable circumstances, is a fairly stern test of wind and muscle. In the pitch blackness, under such nerve-thrilling conditions, it was an ordeal. Both men, fortunately, were in hard training. The heavy soil flew steadily and fast. ”