The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-11-19

no remarked, 'Dut uOnt tnlnk MISS
Benton slept much on it last night.
wonder what she did with her satchel
or bag. She had to take something, and
a trunk was out of the question"
Hendricks opened the door of closet.
"Ah" be exclaimed. "There you
are, doctor. There is bag almost as
large as Montcastle's up on that shelf
by the bandbox. She packed 1T, then
unpacked it and took the trouble to re-
place it up there"
Are you sure?'' asked the doctor.
dead sure'
DIR. Lampkin looked incredulous.
II don't quite catch your he be-
gan.
Hendricks pointed at white under
skirt and nightdress hanging from one
Of the hooks.
"Those things have never been
worm" he said.
"Well, what if they haven'tr'
"The creases in 'em chow that they
have been folded to fit the bag. The
wrinkles indicate that they have been
compressed considerably"
"Ahr'
Don't simply say 'Ah' if you want
to talk" said the detective, initiating
his friends tone. "It sounds like APP
plause from the gallery. It's loud. but
1t means nothing"
I'm doing my BEST" was Lamp
kin's rejoinder.
Yesterday or last night" pursued
Hendricks, "she took the bag down
from the shelf, wiped it and packed it.
There is the mixture of cobwebs, lint
and dust that was on it," Hendricks
picked up a soiled towel and exhibited
it to his companion. Then he reached
up and took the empty bag from the
shelf. "See how free from dust it is, I"
he ran on, with a merry chuckle. "P]l
bet you dinner that the bandbox next
to it is covered with dust"
"I'll go you," returned Lampkin,
though know you will win"
Hendricks sneezed as he drew the
box from the shelf.
"Che- hooi There is enough dust to
fill the eyes of all the detectives in
America, and her ladyship did not util-
ize it except as an eye opener. She is
sharp and cautious, but not enough SO
to hide her movements -
''Do you think she is concerned in
the murder?" asked Lampkin.
"Never formed positive opinion SC
early in game in my life," was. the
answer. IF 1 did, I'd follow my opin'
ions nose into trouble. It is because
am continually drowning that / an
able to clutch circumstantial straws
See?''
"Have you found any motive?" ques
toned the doctor.
motive enough, the Lord knows
muttered Hendricks, "too much mo
tive. That's the drawback. Son is he'll
to big Fortunes; daughter ditto; man il
| love with her or her chances and an
other fellow as mad as blazes at TIT
dead man for usurping his rights, o.
fancied rights. to certain patents ant
inventions"
"You mean that Mr.. Brooks Allen?'
| said Lampkin. II heard the chief o
police talking about his intimacy will
old Mr.. Benton when / went out tt
send that telegram. Shall you follow
him up?"
"Not till have cleared this rubbish
away" returned the detective, with
| perplexed frown. He looked again a
the bed in the room. II wish / reall.
knew if Miss Benton slept in her bed
It has a cold, unused appearance. l
she did not, she has tumbled it artistic
ally"
The door latch ratified, and voices
were heard outside in the hall.
Hendricks bit his lip and made boy
ish grimace of mock alarm. Then HI
quickly glided to the closet, closed tn,
door and turned the key
II DECLARE" sounded Miss Benton
voice. II believe some one has boltet
my door on the inside"
Perhaps it may be the detective,
said Miss Hastings. He told me h
was going to look around the house. 4"
sin my room? How dare-the i'm
pertinencel won't stand
"Shp interrupted Miss Hastings
"They can hear you.
"I don't care if they do. Wha
right
Hendricks stepped to the door, wink
ing over his shoulder at his companion
1.-THE devil is to pay now, he said
"Help me out of it,
Hendricks gave the knob warning
rattle and then slid back the bolt.
"Ahl' he said in tone of wei
| feigned surprise. II hope-I sincerely
hope we haven't got into any private
quarters. was anxious to confer with
my friend over little matter, and yor
know, Miss Benton, men never car
keep from laundering. Your room, is i,
not Miss Hastings?"
"It's mine" replied Miss Benton
getting her breath excitedly. She