Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-09-09

They all looked at Hendricks in won

They all looked at Hendricks In won
der.
PRAY. how did you guess that?'
asked Mrs. Walters. cold smile on hei
face.
Zone of the tricks OF my calling" was
the reply. Its easy. noticed that
the nails Of your Two index fingers are
worn down roughly. SO know that you
not only write on the machine. but You
do It slowly. for You employ only those
Two fingers Experienced writer's Use
MI the fingers OF the hand"
ut is simple enough since you have
explained It" replied Mrs. Walters
"And Won are exactly right"
Twill you oblige me by writing q
short note at my dictation?" Hendricks
asked, pushing Il chair towards the ma
chine. 81 would scratch it down with
a pencil, but all the letters send to my
office are carefully filed, and they look
better typewriter"
u have a machine and stenographer
at the Office" interposed Capt. Welsh;
my man will do 1t for you IN u 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 the detective in
terrupted him:
"Oh, 1t will only take a moment.
have an addressed envelope ready in my
pocket, and | can drop it in II letter
box as | go down. Take a seat. Mrs.
Walters"
Lillian obeyed, with curious upward
look into his face and a touch OF heslta-
ton as she put 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
When Mrs. Walters had drawn the
sheet from the machine and given II 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 1t into an envelope and
took n stamp from his watchcase.
"Why, l--I-think It is in the lumber
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 its
appearance this machine cannot have
been in use more than month; and
Mrs. Walters writes too well to have
learned within that time. ! did not
think it likely that she had practiced
out Of the house. She looks like stay
at-home little body"
"Ilow very simple!" the mayor ex-
claimed. III only your keen sight will
help us solve this mystery, we shall be
all grateful"
Mrs. Roundtree seemed displeased
with the delay.
Aren't you going to do something
towards protecting our house, cap
tan?" she asked, turning to Welsh
"Some one has attempted the life of my
child. shall go mad II something is
not done at once"
Capt. Welsh looked embarrassed
"The case is really in Mr.. Hendricks
hands," he said awkwardly. ut is SC
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 lie stopped fol
lack Of words,
"There is no reason why you may moi
place guard round the house nightanc
day, captain" said Hendricks, frown
? ing slightly at Welsh's compliments, I'll
It allays the fears Of the ladies it viii
serve good purpose"
"Thank YOU" said Mrs. Roundtree
codly,
. where is your telephone, mayor
asked Welsh.
in the library across the hall. Show
1t to him, Lillian" said the mayor.
When Mrs, Roundtree heard the tele
phone bell ring she went into the Ii
brary to hear Welsh give his orders, AM
Fred Walters followed her, leaving thu
mayor and Hendricks together.
while they are in there, should b
glad to get a look at the grounds from
back window upstairs, II you will
show me up" said the detective.
Certainly, with pleasure" the mayo
replied. This way" And he led Hen
bricks up the rear steps to the foo
above. "There is a window in thi
servants ROOM" he went on, pushing
door open. but IL looks out on the sid
rather than the back. The old lumbe
room is in the rear; but you'll get a
over dust II you go there"
mo matter; 1t won't hurt me-"
When they had opened the door @
the lumber-room and were maxim
their way through dusty piles Of oil
furniture, carpets, rugs, pictures an
broken statuary, Hendricks smiled an
pointed to typewriter on table nea
the window. "See how well guessed,