The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-12-06
AUTHOR OF
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i mean 10 white al tnaJ or 0eao
mans and cold and clammy, with beads
Of perspiration standing on it"
Hendricks swore softly.
"You told me not ten days ago that
there was nothing for me to learn, and
yet just now l was breaking my neck
to get water for swooning man with
q face as red as a beet. I'm an ass"
"Who swoonedi"
Nobody. d-n it, according to your
own diagnosis Ralph Benton, however.
did a capital piece Of acting. He keeled
over beautifully just before his name
was called as witness.
"And didn't testify2'''
"No; didn't care for his testimony,
though"
.. swell, then, what's the matter2'
matter? Do you suppose I want to
DO hopping like mad after water before
all those people to give water to q
young ass who is playing off on mep"
what are you going to do about it?"
"Get even with him before this thing
is done with. Let's 60 into the hall
We are losing time.
The library door opened, and Miss
Hastings looked in.
"Oh, beg pardonl' she said. start
lug to withdraw.
tits all right" said Hendricks.
quickly stepping toward her. 1--WE were
Just going out. How is Mr.. Bentonr"
HE is better" replied Miss Has
tings. "He is in his sisters room. sit
ting up"
"We were just starting to look around
the house a Bit" said Hendricks.
"Would you mind telling us which is
your room and the ono formerly occu-
pied by Mr.. Jacob Benton?'
mime is at the head Of the front
stairs on the right az you go up, re-
piled Miss Hastings. "Mr. Benton's
was next to it, between my room and
his laboratory"
"Thank you. And Miss Benton's
room isl
"On this floor, back of the sitting
room, after you Cross the narrow pas
sage"
"Mr. Montcastle's is opposite hers.
l believe" went on Hendricks.
"Yes"
"Mr. Ralph Benton rooms up stairs.
I presume"
"Yes, across the hall from his IA
theirs apartment.
'Thank you." said Hendricks, with
pleasant smile and bow. 1--WE want
to look the premises over and shall be-
gin at the bottom. "Come on, doctor"
The detective led Lampkin from the
library and down long hall into which
several doors opened. As they were
passing Miss Benton's room they heard
voices within.
''Montcastle is there" whispered
Hendricks over his shoulder, "ano
while they are OBTAINING him l want to
peep into his chamber -
The next minute he laid his hand on
the knob Of Montcastle's door 1t was
locked. The detective smiled broadly rs
he took a heavy bunch Of keys from his
pocket and began to try them in the
look.
"Swiped EN- from Jane during the
inquest" he laughed. ''She had EN-
tied to her waist with a string. I
shipped it with my penknife Saw her
Just now searching for them on the
front lawn. All, here we are" Hen
bricks pushed the door open, and when
they had entered he closed and bolted it.
Don't want anybody plunging in ON
Us" he explained as his eyes began to
rove about the apartment. "AhI" he
cried, pointing to a good sized travelling
bag in corner Remember what I
told you about the 1880 train and the
cab tracks in the rear and in the front2''
II remember, =" replied the doctor.
Hendricks raised the bag fron the
floor to a lounge.
Completely packed" he said Nov,
I wonder if l can get into it. AhP
The catch slid back, and the bag opened.
1t was closely filed with wearing up
parel. by Jovei If every trail was MS
easy to follow as this one. blind men
would become detectives. -
"What is it," questioned Lampkin.
"See that little clock in the corner
under the handkerohiefs?"
"Yes.
Hendricks took it out and stood 1t up
OH his hand. "See, it is one Of the lit
tie pendulum affairs that won't run un-
less it is standing up.
II see." replied Lampkin mechanic
ally.
"You see only what baby could see,
or else you'd show more enthusiasm
over it.. said Hendricks. "Montcastle
took it from his dressing table or man
tel and packed it at exactly IN min
utes after this morning Looks like
short leave taking. doesn't itT'
1T does, indeed" said the doctor.
"By Jovo, r.
HE didn't occupy the bed either last
night, for it has not been touched, and
there is his nightshirt under his tennis
shoes, one Of the first things slowed
away"
1T looks as if MoDtcastle knew some
thing about the murder or bad some
thing to do with it. Don't you think
COZ" asked Lampkin.
Hendricks made no reply. He was
running through the articlesin the bag
as dcftly as a custom house official after
smuggled goods.
"Good!' he cried, suddenly drawing
himself up and rubbing his hands to-
gether. "You remember the woman's
footprints at the side gate along with
the man s? She was ready to go too. -
How do you know that?' asked Dr.
Lampkin, with bated breath.
"Here is a pair Of her boots," said
Hendricks, with low laugh. "If they
were pair Of dainty evening slippers
tied with blue strings and two sizes too
small for the wcarer. they would mean
liz !, a |