The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-12-10


snake"
II don't quite approve Of the plan,"
replied the patient obviously. "You
see, Joe and mo has been companions,
so to speak, for more than 80 years,
and l haven't ever laid eyes on him.
Now, it don't seem to me that it would
be treating him with due respect for me
to be sound asleep when he makes his
first bow to daylight don't you know. y
DR.. Lampkin smothered an oath with
his hand, and, turning to seat at the
window, sat down. The patient sat up
in his chair and stared at him critic
ally, then stood up, reached out to
table and took possession of cigar and
q match.
IF you don't mind" be said, with
Singer, "I'll, take puff or two. just
about this time of day me and Joe are
accustomed to smoke. He's as fond Of
it as
"Hang your impudencer' said the
doctor. "Do you think haven't any
thing to do but humor your practical
Jokes? knew you the minute you be-
gan to talk and thought I'd see how
long you'd keep it up. But enough OF
thing is enough
"sThis snake quoted Hendricks,
grinning audibly-'this snake is from
the stomach Of one Of the wealthiest
bankers In New York. removed it
without the slightest difficulty. "
I ot,, MI
81 have never seen you in a better dis
guise. How on earth did you alter your
voice that way?"
"Got a professional ventriloquist to
show me how to speak down in my
throat" replied the detective. How
did you drop on to me anyway
You may disguise your face and
voice. said Lampkin, grinning, but
your humor, you know, would betray
you anywhere. There is not another
man in America who can get off such
weak. fabby jokes. All at once vast
tired feeling came over me. felt as If
were sort of composite reincarnatlon
Of all the overworked sewing women
that ever died, and then l knew you
were not far away
Hendricks laughed. II presume you
are right. I shall not joke tonight for
fear of recognition.
Whats up?" asked Lampkin eager.
ly.
want you to take round with me
tonight in, good make up. l left 1T
-. l. a. fnr
us it the Benton business?"
Eyes"
"What's turned up:'
"Nothing yet, but I am going to try
to make something turn up"
"Are the members of the house party
still at Orange?' asked the doctor.
"All of them. Even Allen has gone
back to his old room. You remember l
told you that Benton's lawyer, Farm
hall, had missed some of the old mans
papers? Well, he and have searched
high and low in several directions with
out success. But here is the point-Farn-
hall has a aneaking idea that be is some
thing Of an expert in reading character
and has invited the whole party to meet
him at his house tonight. He thinks he
will be able to draw them all out in
conversation and force confession from
some one"
"Then he thinks that some member
Of the household stole the papors?" ask
ed Lampkin.
eyes, and committed the murder
Also"
"Do you think so, too?" asked the doc
tor.
Cant answer that question yet"
smiled tho detective. "But his idea OF
forcing some one to a confession put an
odd idea into my head. They will be
ut his house at S!oclock, and after they
leave thcro We'll get in our little
scheme"
whats that:'
81 shan't tell you. Itwould spoil the
dramatic effect. You'll see it all in the
end"
"All right. Have your way" said
Lampkin.
Hendricks turned to the door.
"I'll run down and get that make mp.
Evil add 40 years to your age. lwant
10 try it on you. We may not have q
rse ssr the DISCUSSES, but then, again,
they may come in very handy. A good
,aaly people know me by sight. -.
But" said Lumpkin, "if Farnhall
should make some one own up, can you
still carry out your planT
"Nohnly will own up" answered
Hendricks. clos good lawyer, but .
poor detective. ! have made him prom
ise IT, 10: Ee know if he fails, and then
hr is to tarn tina gang over to me. 1t
Was not possible for you and me to he
pzesslt. Flo was afraid we'd be recog-
p!zei oven IN disguise, but we are to
wait In his dining room till he gets
through With them"
"And them" began the doctor But
Il