The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-12-02

"Oh, it's you, chr WHAT'S npf"
tracks along the fence which curved to-
ward the house near the center walk.
II can see that by the way the horse's
hoofs were turned. The driver came in
OH the grass and went out on it to avoid
making any more sound than was neces-
sary."
"You think so?' said the doctor in
wonder.
"Yes," Hendricks returned. "You
zee. fresh sand has been put on the
drive, and cab wheels would make a
srunching sound on it,"
"That's o fact, at any rate" replied
The doctor.
.'Come on" said Hendricks, starting
across the lawn between the cab tracks
he had first pointed out II see some
thing up there"
He was several yards in advance Of
the doctor and suddenly stopped and
began to examine something ON the
ground. When Lampkin came up to
him, he saw that it was notebook
bound in calf. Hendricks stood up,
leaving the book OIL the grass.
II presume" he said, smiling, "that
you would pick it up at once, doctor
that is, if you wanted to know what it
contained.
why not?" asked Lampkin.
because it is not my method. II
must be done with good deal Of care. -
Hendricks picked it up cautiously
and turned it over. "See," he said, sit
is wet on the under side and compare.
lively dry on the side that was upper
most"
II notice that" said Lampkin.
"It was dropped several hours after
the dew had begun to fall; otherwise il
would have been dry beneath and wei
OH top Presumably it fell from the cab,
since we find it between the tracks Of
the cab, which went out after the dew
had fallen"
1T looks that way" said Lampkin,
"but it would never have occurred te
me to think Of it,
Hendricks held the book toward the
light in the east and examined the GOV.
er. II see a monogram here" he said,
ga. M We must find out to whom
1t belongs" He turned the pages. They
were all blank, and the book contained
nothing except q clipping from news.
paper. which had been thrust into 9
pocket inside the cover. 1.-THE owner Of
it evidently left here in cab some time
last night" said the detective as they
started on.
AS they neared the house man and
q woman came from the hall on to the
veranda. Tho latter was wiping hel
eyes, and the man was evidently trying
to console her.
Daughter Of the murdered man or Q
guest" muttered Hendricks. Reaching
the steps, the detective removed hii
hat and bowed. His studious glance
was on Montcastle rather than Oh Miss
Benton when he spoke.
"Minard Hendricks is my name," he
said. II have been notified by the po'
lice that my services as a detective
might be needed, and came out al
quickly as possible.
The girl released the arm of her com.
panion and approached the edge Of the
veranda.
II am glad you came," she said.
ut was my father. am Miss Benton.
Two policemen are out there waiting
for You. This is Mr.. Arthur Mont.
castle"
Hendricks extended his hand tc
Montcastle. II picked up something
belonging to you, Mr.. Montcastle," he
said, showing the notebook.
Montcastle stared first at the boob
and then OF Hendricks without reply
ing.
"You dropped it from your hanson
as you drove across the lawn last
night" continued the detective.
Montcastle and Miss Benton glanced
at each other inquiringly. 1t seemed tc
Lampkin that a look Of vexation crossed
the face Of the former.
"I-I suppose it is mine, said Mont.
castle. LET me see it"
Hendricks deliberately put it into hif
pocket. Excuse me-" he said. 81
should like to keep it a little while"
You are welcome to it," said Mont
castle. 1t seemed to the doctor that he
spoke in certain tone of defiance as he
turned into the hall and disappeared.
II presume you want to see the spot, "
said Miss Benton. "You must go round
the house that way and then down the
last walk ON the north side."