The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-12-03

Oh, beg pardon!" he laughed
rising clumsily. ~ forgot that wal
blocking the way. Look outl Don't steI
on that thing
what in ,aunder are you doing?'
asked the doctor, stepping cautiously
over black suit of clothes which thu
detective had carefully stretched on thu
floor.
"Sh!' Hendricks closed the door.
"Old man Benton's," he went on with
a grin. II presume you think an
mad, chr"
Method in it; I'D bet ON that" re-
turned the doctor.
Don't quote. Be original"
Hendricks sat down on the side of Q
bed for moment, his chin resting
thoughtfully in his hand. Presently he
rose and drew one of the sleeves Of the
coat downward an inch or 80.
SLOWS that?' he asked.
slows what?' asked Lampkin.
what are you doing?'
want to get him fixed as much like
we found him as possible. Hard to do
without stuffing. For little I'd rip up
that mattress and utilize the contents.
The more like old Benton it looks the
slicker my brain wheels revolve. Ideas,
ideas, my friendl"
"What do you expect to get out Of
that suitf'
1.-Two fifty mt a secondhand store, "
replied the detective. He burst into a
little laugh and abruptly relapsed into
intense thoughtfulness.
II can see that you are deeply inter.
osted," observed Lampkin.
why, old sawbones?"
IF you were not, your joke would
not have been so lame"
mot too much interested to enjoy
yours, laughed Hendricks mechanical
ly. "Ha, ha, hal One on me" He sank
On his knees, took hold of the left lapel
of Benton's coat and examined it
closely.
"What are you studying that lapel
so attentively for?" asked the doctor.
Hendricks turned the lapel back and
exposed the underside.
"See that pin?" he asked.
"Yes. / suppose you will take it as a
proof of stinginess and''-
Nothing of the kind" broke in the
detective. He rose, opened the back
part of his watch case and exposed a
tiny shred of white paper. II found
that under the pin just now.''
''Well?" said Lampkin.
''It was there" replied Hendricks.
"There was reason for its being there,
but / can't make it out yet 1t is one of
the half dozen inexplicable things con-
nected with the case. When we know
who shot the owner of this suit of
clothes, we'll know what this bit of pa
per means.
Lampkin sat down at table. HAS
anything turned up since saw you?'
Hendricks closed his watch with
snap and sank on the bed.
lyon know was hungry when you
left me" he began. ''Well, went to
the kitchen. The cook, colored man,
rather laxative by nature, offered to
give me bite in the dining room, but
preferred the kitchen. 1t is the sink
of household gossip. ! got him started
by giving him plated ring with red
glass setting. l now know the house
from to lizard. Old man Benton was
dead against the house party. He hated
Montcastle for some reason or other and
had had a scrap with Ralph nearly ev-
cry night for the last month. Jason con-
firms Jarnagin's story about the quarrel
between Mr.. Benton and Allen and says
Allen is snake in the grass and that
he would not forgive an injury; that
it would rankle, you know, and then
rise and burst, so to speak,"
but you haven't particle of evil
dence against Allen" said Lampkin.
1.-THE fact that he has quarreled with
Mr. Benton, when the old man was in
the habit Of quarreling with all around
him. would not count for much"
lyon are right" agreed the detect
i've, frowning, "but something in the
air seems to promise to give me clew
before long. The whole case and all
the people in it are buzzing round me
at terrific rate, like swarm of bees.
Do you know how we used to make
swarm of bees settle, doctor? We raised
frightful racket If these folks don't
look out, I'll do that"
What do you mean?'
IN make an arrest, right or wrong.
Somebody in the lay out is keeping back
something, and want to know what
it is. My progress is blocked. There is
nothing like the pressure of handouts
on the wrists to cure .lockjaw. But I
shall give them little more time. ia
son tells me that Mr.. Farnhall, Ben
tons lawyer, is greatly disturbed about
some important papers which are miss
ing from the old mans desk. am GO
ing to try to help him find them"