Daily camera., 1897-07-26

wanted treatment for stupidity. Some
thing is radically wrong with me.
'Sh!"
There was a sound of footsteps on the
floor overhead, a clatter on the stairs,
and boy II or 10 years of age, very
neatly dressed, came into the room hur-
riedly. He stopped short, and his eyes
widened in astonishment.
IL beg your pardon he stam-
mered, flushing. Sarah told me my
teacher had come-and-and wanted
to see me-"
A look of perplexity darted across the
face of the detective, and for moment
there was an awkward pause. Then
Hendricks said:
1--WE wanted to see Frederick Champ
nty on matter of business. Does he
live here?"
That's my name, sir" said the boy,
timidly.
perhaps it is your fathers also, sug-
gested Hendricks, in reassuring tone.
"My father is dead" replied the boy.
His name was Stephen H. Champney."
"Then you are the only Frederick
Champney in the family?''
"Y-e-s, sir" The boy spoke slowly,
and then ended with start. His glance
wavered under the sharp gaze Of the de-
tective, whose face had undergone a
remarkable change. When Hendricks
spoke, his voice sounded to DIR. Lamp
kin strangely harsh and firm:
81 received letter from this street
and number. 1t was signed Frederick
Champney. Did you write it?'
The boy suddenly fell to trembling,
and his face worked in an effort to con-
troll himself, but he hung his head in
silence. Hendricks repeated his ques-
ton, but still the boy would not reply.
He looked towards the hall, as if he
wished to escape. . --- .~-s'7''.'
Seeing this, Hendricks stepped be-
tween him and the door.
81 may as well be plain with you, my
boy" he said. 81 am a detective, legal
ly authorized to arrest anyone sus-
pected of law-breaking. A letter OF
very grave importance has been written
over your name. If you know anything
about it, and won't tell me, shall be
compelled to arrest you on suspicion"
The boy stared into Hendricks face
for an instant in abject terror; then he
burst into tears. He darted towards
the door, but the detective caught his
arm, and drew him, struggling, back
into the room.
Mammal! mammal" shrieked the
boy with all his strength, and he rolled
on the floor in Hendricks clutch and
beat the legs of his captor with his
fists. Just then a white-faced, middle
aged woman ran into the room from
the rear stairs, followed by the maid
who had admitted them. On seeing
her, and being released by the detective,
the boy ceased his cries, ran to his
mother and hid his face in her lap. She
could only stare at the two visitors in
speechless amazement.
Hendricks bowed very low and STAN
mered out an explanation.
81 am a detective" he said. "a very
important letter has been written under
the address of this house and over the
name of Frederick Champney. l can't
think this little fellow could be guilty
of any misdemeanor, you know, madam,
but from his actions it is plain to me
that he knows something about the mat
ter. He started to run away, and had
to hold him.
''Fred!" The woman almost gasped
as she forced the white face of the boy
towards her own. Fred, do you knew
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 soolt him fercely.
"Srea!:, | say! What is the matter
with .you? If you have been up to any
dev.!E.r2t--'
q di7n't write it, mamma" the boy
wh:G- ed.
"Nc!I. who did? What do you know
about it? Speak, l tell you, or I'll
thu y you within an inch of your life y
''Eoa't be hard on him. Hendricks
intcrposed 81 think | understand.
He viii tell us all about it. That is the
best way"
The boy dried his eyes, and took his
head ou of his mothers apron. For
moment there was deep silence as he
stood hesitatingly b9fore her.
'sUncle Tom" faltcled the boy. 'He
did it. I promised him not to tell q 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. 'It is some of my broth
ers mischief; but / will not have him
mixing my innocent children no in his
miserable affairs. 1t is shameful. the
way he has been acting!"
"He asked me to let him use my
name," said the boy, who had grown
calmer. "He told me it WASH anything
but joke on friend of his-a woman,
who thought she was writing to man
she never saw. l took the answers to
JTpc1a Tom ~