The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1897-05-29

better typewriter"
II have machine and q stenosraphee
ut the Office" interposed Capt. Welshi
my man viii do it for you in a hurry,
Surely we have no time to lose; the
mayor and the ladies will feel insecure
II we do not make move pretty soon.
II think myself, Mr.. Hendricks"
the mayor began, but tho detective In
terrupted him: s'~-.7" :
ooh, It will only takea moment. I
have an addressed envelope ready in my
pocket, and can drop it in q letter.
box as I go down. Take seat, Mrs.
Walters" =" H.
Lillian obeyed, with q curious upward
look into his face and touch OF hesita-
ton as she put a sheet OF paper be-
tween the rollers.
"Dear Hasbrooke," Hendricks began
-'Your letter received Am engaged
ON important case here. Can't come
this week. Will wire you later. Lads
ley affair must wait. Hendricks"
80 When Mrs. Walters had drawn the
sheet from the machine and given it to
the detective he turned to the mayor.
"What did you do with. your old type
writer?" he asked, as he folded the
letter and put it into an envelope and
took a stamp from his watchcase..
"Why, TI-think it is in thelumber-
room," the mayor .stammered. but
how did you know had one?"
Hendricks smiled as he touched the
stamp with his tongue and placed 1t
carefully on the corner of the envelope.
"Another easy thing. Judging from it's
appearance this machine cannot have
been in use more than a month; and
Mrs. Walters writes too we'll to have
learned within that time. / did not
think it likely that she had practiced
out of the house. She looks like astay-
at-home little body"
"How very simple!" the mayor ex-
claimed. eff only your keen sight will
help us solve this mystery, we shall be
all grateful" -....-.........
Mrs. Roundtree seemed displeased
with the delay. a. q
"Aren't you going to do something
towards protecting our house, cap
tain?" she asked, turning to Welsh.
"Some one has attempted the life ofmy
child. I shall go mad if. something is
not done at once" 5.
Capt. Welsh looked: embarrassed.
sThe case is really in Mr.. Hendricks
hands," he said awkwardly. 1T is SO
hard to get his services; owing TO- his
wide reputation and the demands on his
time, that he is usually granted unlim-
tied authority and" He stopped for
lack of words. - >@' -
"There is no reason why you may not
place guard round the house highland
day, captain" said Hendricks, frown-
ing slightly at Welsh's compliment. IF
it allays the fears Of the ladies 1t will
serve good purpose" - -
"Thank you," said Mrs. Roundtree,
coldly. p. ;,,.-- -. 4-~<.%~-'
'Where is your telephone. mayor"
asked Welsh. ;~'- -
'In the library across the hall: Show
it to him, Lillian" said the mayor.
When Mrs: Roundtree heard the tele-
phone bell ring she went into the IL
brary to hear Welsh give his orders, and
Fred Walters followed her, leaving the
mayor and Hendricks together.
"While they are in there, 1 should be
glad to get look at the grounds from
back window upstairs, if you will
show me up" said the detective.
Certainly, with pleasure" the mayor
replied. This way" And he led Hem
bricks up the rear steps to the floor
above. ''There is window in this
servants room," he went on, pushing
door open. 'but it looks out on the side
rather than the back. The old lumber
room is in the rear; but you'll get all
over dust if you go there -
"No matter; it won't hurt me-" 49,
When they had opened the door OF
the lumber-room and were making
their way through dusty piles of old
furniture, carpets, rugs. pictures and
broken statuary, Hendricks smiled and
pointed to typewriter on table near
the window. "See how we'll guessed"
he said, crossing the room and bending
over the machine. Il am interested in
typewriters. / had q chance to buy
stock in one before they became the
rage, and if had done so would now
be too rich to have to be nosing round
in other peoples affairs like this. This
machine was made about '85; purple
and copying" he added, rubbing his
finger on the ribbon and transferring
the stain to his cuff. II like the black
better" Then he went to window
and carelessly looked out. "Ah!" he
said; "you see how thick the woods are
behind the place where we found his
tracks? He could have got away very
easily. Would your daughter be able.
to defend herself, Mr.. Roundtree, in:
case of sudden attack?" Hendricks
asked, as they came back toward the
stairs. '"Can she use revolver?" -
"Quite we'll, indeed" the mayor an
swered; cher husband taught her. But
I don't like her to carry one. It makes
her mother uneasy"
AS they reached the lower floor the
others were coming from the library.
Welsh went out to call a cab. and Hem
bricks Joined him. The moment the
cab stopped at the door. the captain
got in, but Hendricks held back. :. II
have left my umbrella out there" he
said apologetica1ly. wait a moment"
Hendricks went down the walk. and
was soon hidden from view by the
lockwood bushes. Five minutes passed.
Welsh was impatiently wondering
what had become of him, when he
emerged from the shrubbery, lighting
cigar. Without . word Of explanation
for his delay, he got into the cab be-
II 81