The Irish standard., 1897-06-12

-. .s
but from his actions # Il psafn 90 no
that he knows something about the ma45
ter. He started to run away, snd I I'D.
to hold him" &. u
"Fredl" The woman almost gasped
"a she forced the white face Of the boz
towards her own. Erred, do you know
anything Of what this man Is talking
about?"
The boy darted towards her lap agaaA
but she held him firmly in front Of hss
and shook him fercely.
"speak, I sayl What il the matted
with you? If you have been up to any
devilment-"
. II didn't write 1t, mamma" the boy
whimpered.
"Well, who did? What do you know
about it7 Speak, I tell you. OF I'll
thrash you within an inch Of your life.
Don't be hard on him." Hendricks
interposed. II think I understand
He will tell us all about it. That is tho
best way"
The boy dried his eyes, and took his
head out of his mothers apron. For q
moment there was deep silence as he
stood hesitatingly before her.
"Uncle Tom," faltered the boy. "He
did it. Ipromised him not to tell a soul
not even you; and wouldn't. but you
made me.'
"Ah, I see," said the woman, angrilya
and her gray eyes flashed as she turned
to Hendricks. "It is some of my broth.
er's mischief; but will not have him
mixing my innocent children up in his
miserable affairs. It is shameful, the
way he has been acting!"
'.He asked me to let him use my
name," said the boy, who had grown
calmer. "He told me it wasn't any thing
but a Joke on friend of his-a woman,
who thought she was writing to man
she never saw. took the answers to
Uncle Tom."
"Outrageous!" cried the woman.
am ashamed of my own name when one
who bears it can do such things"
"Where is he ?" asked Hendricks, with
sudden craftiness Of look and manner
'sIt is only trifling matter, that can
easily be settled, but I'd Like to see him.
"He's upstairs, asleep, now" the
woman replied, still angrily. "He'a
sleeping off one of his all-night prowls
around town. have been willing to
give him bed and board here when he
lis with us, in spite of his being regular
disgrace to us all with his queer no1
lions. Sarah," she broke of suddenly
seeing that Hendricks had moved near1
er the door and signaled to DR.. Lamp!
kin, run up and tell him to come down
here, and to be quick about it. want
AN explanation of his conduct, and I'll
have it now"
Hendricks sprang into the hall and
caught the girls arm.
"Where's his room?" he asked, under
his breath.
"Second floor back" answered the
girl.
Hendricks turned to the doctori
;"Quick!" he said. "Follow me-"
Mrs. Champney's mind, however, had
acted with the rapidity of lightning4
She ran between Hendricks and the foot
of the stairs, and with outstretched
ARMS stood in his way.
! "What has he done? What are you
going to do with him?" she said. "Ha
is my brother, and"
+ "Pardon me! I must do It'll" and
Hendricks caught her arm, pushed her
back towards the hall door, and signal4
ing to DR.. Lampkin, who had deter
mined to be as agile as his friend, sprang
up the stairs. Hendricks was as active
as greyhound, and he was half way up
the fight before the doctor had started
DR.. Lampkin caught up with him at
the closed door of the back room on tho
second floor. He was trying to force IL
open with his right hand, while in the
left he held his revolver.
"Hang him, he's on to us!" painted thd
detective. "That kid made too much
noise. Get out your gun, and come
against the door with me. Quickl wa
must smash it. The lock is strong"
They struck the door simultaneously
It did not yield at first, and the houses
shook, and resounded with tho hollow
noise. There was startled cry from
below, q woman's voice, and then StepA
on the stairs.
"Quick! come again!" grunted the
detective; and shoulder to shoulder
they struck the door once more. Tho
fastenings gave way, and they plunged
into the room, only keeping their fest
by falling against a bureau which had
been rolled against the door, and which
now, with its broken mirror, stood IN
their way.
The room was empty. An open wind
dow told story. Hendricks swore ,an@
der his breath as he made his way to tho
window. He pointed to the sloping root
Of shed and pile Of boxes below.
That's the way he went. Come ont
we must not wait to run round the
block. We are as nimble as he is. Hd
went over that rear wall into the alleyj
I sec where he dislodged some Of the
bricks"
Hendricks thrust his revolver into
dis coat-pocket, crawled over tho win1
dow-sill, swung down to his full lengtha
end then let go. DIR. Lampkin was IN
the window when Hendricks struck the
roof. The next instant they stood to-
gether in the yard, and minute latea
had scaled the brick wall and were IN
the alley.
j Vehicles and workmen were going
to and fro, but the pursuers saw no one
who appeared to be trying to escapes
them. The driver of an ice wagon said
L. I'D