  Optical spectroscopy of the blue star KIC 10449976 shows that it is an
extremely helium-rich subdwarf with effective temperature T=40000+/-300 K and
surface gravity log g=5.3+/-0.1. Radial-velocity measurements over a five-day
timescale show an upper variability limit of ~50+/-20 km/s. Kepler photometry
of KIC 10449976 in both long and short cadence modes shows evidence for a
periodic modulation on a timescale of ~3.9 days. We have examined the
possibility that this modulation is not astrophysical but conclude it is most
likely real. We discuss whether the modulation could be caused by a low-mass
companion, by stellar pulsations, or by spots. The identification of any one of
these as cause has important consequences for understanding the origin of
helium-rich subdwarfs.
