The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-12-10


doctor. "Do you think haven't any
thing to DO but humor your practical
jokes? i knew you the minute you be-
gan to talk end thought I'd see how
long you'd keep it up. But enough Of
thing is enough"
"'This snake quoted Hendricks,
grinning audibly-'this snake is from
the stomach Of one of the wealthiest
bankers in New York. removed it
without the slightest difficulty.'"
81 give in," surrendered Lampkin.
II have never seen you in better dis
guise. How on earth did you alter your
voice that way?"
"Got professional ventriloquist to
show me how to speak down in my
throat" replied the detective. "How
did you drop on to me anyway"
"You may disguise your face and
voice." said Lampkin, grinning. "but
your humor, you know, would betray
you anywhere. There is not another
man in America who can get off such
weak, fabby jokes. All at once vast
tired feeling came over me. felt as II
were sort of composite reincarnation
of all the overworked sewing women
that ever died, and then knew you
were not far away"
Hendricks laughed. II presume you
are right. shall not joke tonight for
fear of recognition.
whats up?" asked Lampkin eager
ly.
"Want you to take round with me
tonight in a good make up. ! left 1t
down stairs with the elevator boy"
"Is IL the Benton business?''
eyes"
"What's Turned upP'
Nothing yet, but am going to try
TO make something turn up"
"Are the members Of the house party
etill at Granger" asked the doctor.
''All Of them. Even Allen has gone
back to his old room. You remember !
told you that Benton's lawyer, Farm
hall, had missed some of the old mans
papers? Well, he and have searched
high and low in several directions with
out success. But here is the point Farm
hall has sneaking idea that he is some
thing of an expert in reading character
and has invited the whole party to meet
him at his house tonight. He thinks he
will be able to draw them all out in
conversation and force confession from
some one."
"Then he thinks that some member
of the household stole the papers?" ask
ed Lampkin.
"Yes, and committed the murder
Also"
"Doy you think so, too?' asked the doc
tor.
Cant answer that question yet"
smiled the detective. "But his idea Of
forcing some one to a confession put an
odd idea into my head. They will be
at his house at o'clock, and after they
leave there we'll get in our little
scheme"
''What's thatf''
"I shan't tell You. Itwould spoil the
dramatic effect. You'll see it all in the
end"
"All right. Have your way" said
hampkin.
Hendricks turned to the door.
"pl run down and get that make up.
Is will add 40 years to your age. want
TO try it on You. We may not have
use for the DISCUSSES, but then, again,
they may come in very handy. A good
many people know me by sight"
But" said Lampkin, "if Farnhall
should make some one own mp, can you
still carry out your plan?"
Nobody will own up" answered
Hendricks. Hes good lawyer, but a
poor detective. 1 have made him prom
Use to let me know if he fails, and then
he is to turn the gang over to me. 1t
was not possible for you and me to be
present. He was afraid we'd be recog
nized even in disguise, but we are to
wait in his dining room till he gets
through with them"
"And them" began the doctor. But
with laugh the detective had opened
the door and gone down stairs.
CHAPTER XIII.