Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1897-11-06
CHAPTER VIII.

CHAPTER VIII.
Hendricks and Lampkin had Just left
the presence of the two young ladies
and were going toward the drawing
room, where constant stream of peo-
pie was coming in and going out when
Hendricks nudged his friend in the side
and looked up toward the front stair
case. Ralph Benton was ascending,
sliding his hand on the railing.
"Going to his room," said Hendricks
in a whisper. He has heard of our be-
ing in his sisters apartment. We must
loep peeled eye on him. I haven't
liked his looks since he swooned ON me
SO beautifully. He's got his sisters dis
position to cover up tracks, and if am
not mistaken he is the more expert of
the two. Well loiter here a minute'
"You were searching for powder
marks ON Miss Benton's wrist Just
now," remarked Lampkin, with tone
Of conviction, as the detective paused
and leaned against the wall.
Exactly. l wasn't trying to make a
mash, you may bet your hat OH that
"How did you know she hadn't wash
ed her hands?''
II didn't think she had. People
never do under great excitement. There
was no water in her jug on the wash
stand or any in the slop jar Besides,
powder stains blown in the skin are
hard to obliterate.
"Did you find them?''
"No,''
"Then she is innocent of the actual
crime. -
eff she didn't wear gloves when she
pulled the trigger" interrupted Hen
bricks. with a little laugh. "Come on;
times up. We must surprise that fell
low in his ROOM
Hendricks bounded up the thickly
carpeted stairs, taking four steps at a
stride. Pausing at Ralph Benton S door,
he grasped the knob firmly and turned
it without making sound. Then he
pressed against the door steadily.
Locked" he grunted. The word
had scarcely left his lips when his
shoulder came against the door with
the force of a battering ram. The frail
fastenings gave way, and Hendricks al
most fell into the room.
Ralph was standing in corner,
holding an envelope over low turned
gas jet.
81 beg pardon!" exclaimed Hen
bricks. can accident, assure you My
foot slipped, and tumbled against
your door. I'm devilish awkward.
Hope haven't done much damage"
cts all right, (" stammered the young
| Eo = H.,
went out, and the crisp black remains
were blown across the room. ell was
just trying to clean up some old rub
bish in my desk. suppose you want to
look about here. l really have no objec-
tion-any thing that will help you get
at the facts. Of course the whole place
is at your disposal"
"Thank you" said Hendricks, step
ping between him and the ashes of the
, envelope. 'My friend and myself would
; like to use your desk. 1 see materials
! for writing are here-that is, if it is no
intrusion.
Ralph shrugged his shoulders.
E "You are quite welcome" he re-
D turned, with defiant, logged expires.
' sion.
Hendricks sat down at the desk,
! picked up pen and dipped it into the
a ink we'll. "Now, DOCTOR" he began,
t Thompson said he would take $4,000
' for the corner lot. but would not give
me later than tomorrow to decide. Now,
f [ intend to offer him.
: Hendricks paused and glanced up at
| Il Nv
5 ton, hut this is-er-a little private deal
we were about to make, and if you had
just as soon"-
, "Oh, I'm goingr' exclaimed Ralph,
> a smile and sneer blending on his
handsome face. 81 am really sorry if I
) have intruded on you"
Hendricks seemed to enjoy the situa-
ton.
) "Call again, Mr.. Benton" he
, laughed "Sorry we are busy today
81 like your Cheek remarked DIR.
Lampkin when the young man had left
the room.
"Shp' The smile had left Hendricks
face 1t was tense and serious He rose
softly, tiptoed to the door, opened it
slightly and looked out.
Cant be too cautious, he remarked
as he leaned chair against the door to
keep it closed. Eyes, admire my
cheek" he went on as he came back
to the doctor, "but like his more !
tell you he's corker."
81 dropped on to your ruse to get
him out of the room,' said Lampkin.
, 81 knew of no Thompson or any corner
lot"
"Better to do it decently," returned
the detective. Never give 'em chance
to be defiant and tell you to mind your
own business. My idea is to keep on
friendly terms with the whole lot. 1t
was that fragment was after" Hen
bricks pointed to the charred remains of
the envelope. "He was burning it as
we came up stairs. I could smell it
through the crack of the door. That's
why broke in so suddenly"
Hendricks took sheet of writing
paper from the desk and slid it careful
ly under the frail, crisp fragment.
Don't dare to breathe on it," he
cautioned as he carried it toward a win
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