Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-06-25

but mom his actions 1t is PLAIN to me
that he knows something about the mat
ter. lie started to run away. and had
to hold him."
"Fred!" The woman almost gasped
MS she forced the white face of the boy
towards her own. Erred, do you know
anything of what this man is talking
about?"
The boy darted towards her lap again,
but she held him firmly in front of her
and shook him fiercely.
Speak, sayl What is the matter
with you? If you have been up to any
devilment-"
II didn't write it, mamma" the boy
whimpered.
"Well, who did? What do you know
about it? Speak, l tell you, or I'll
thrash you within an inch of your life"
Don't be hard on him." Hendricks
interposed. II think ] understand.
He will tell us all about it. That is the
best way"
The boy dried his eyes, and took his
head out of his mothers apron. For a
moment there was deep silence as he
stood hesitatingly before her.
"uncle Tom" faltered the boy. "He,
did it. promised him not to tell soul
not even you; and wouldn't, but you
made me-"
"Ah, see," said the woman, angrily,
and her gray eyes flashed as she turned
to Hendricks. ut is some of my broth
er's mischief; but will not have him
mixing my innocent children up in his
miserable affairs. 1t is shameful. the
way he has been acting!"
"IIe asked me to let him use my
name," said the boy, who had grown
calmer. "IIe 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. l took the answers to
Uncle Tom"
"Outrageous!" cried the woman. IT
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
'It is only triling matter, that can
easily be settled, but I'd like to see him."
Hes upstairs, asleep. now," the
woman replied, still angrily. "He's
sleeping off one of his all-night prowls
around town. I have been willing to
give him bed and board here when he
is with us, in spite of his being regular
disgrace to us all with his queer no
tions. Sarah" she broke off suddenly,
seeing that Hendricks had moved near
er the door and signaled to DIR. 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 doctor.
"Quick!" he said. follow me-"
Mrs. Champney's mind, however, had
acted with the rapidly of lightning.
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. "He
is my brother, and"
pardon me! I must do It'll" and
Hendricks caught her arm, pushed her
back towards the hall door, and signal
ing to DIR. Lamplsin, 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 flight before the doctor had started.
DR.. Lampkin caught up with him at
the closed door of the back room on the
second floor He was trying to force it
open with his right hand, while in the
left he held his revolver.
Hang him, he's on to us!" painted the
detective. "That kid made too much
noise. Get out your gun. and come
against the door with me. Quick! we
must smash it. The lock is strong"
They struck the door simultaneously.
1t did not yield at first, and the house
shook, and resounded with the hollow
noise. There was n startled cry from
below, woman's voice, and then steps
on the stairs.
Quick! come again!" grunted the
detective; and shoulder to shoulder
they struck the door once more. The
fastenings gave way, and they plunged
into the room, only keeping their feet
by falling against bureau which had
been rolled against the door, and which
now, with it's broken mirror, stood in
their way.
The room was empty. An open VIM
dow told a story. Hendricks swore I'M
der his breath as he made his way to the
window. lie pointed to the sloping roof
of shed and pile of boxes below.
That's the way he went. Come on!
we must not wait to run round the
block. We are as nimble as he is. He
went over that rear wall into the alley.
see where lie dislodged some of the
bricks"
Hendricks thrust his revolver into
his coat-pocket, crawled over the win
dow-sill, swung down to his full length,
and then let go. DR.. Lampllin was in
the window when Hendricks struck the
roof. The next instant they stood to-
gether in the yard, and a minute later
had scaled the brick wall and We're in
the alley.
Vehicles and workmen were going
to and fro, but the pursuers saw no one
who appeared to be trying to escape
them. The driver of an ice wagon said
that only minute before man had
sprung over the wall, and, laughing
| heartily, had run towards the street
on the right. The iceman thought he
was playing joke on some one, as he
| had often seen him about there.