The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-12-06

| Cfl6O tno 0OUOr. s..
Hendricks closed the bag with jerk,
and az be rolled 1t on its side and put
bis knee upon it to draw the straps into
place he looked about the room.
Seine that newspaper behind the
bed" be grunted as he tugged at the
last strap to fasten buckle.
DR.. Lampkin picked up the paper,
and Hendricks took it and spread 1t out
on the bed.
"What did I tell your he said.
"Thers's the Jagged hole left by the
clipping. And, see, the paper is dated
yesterday afternoon. Pretty good find
for one room. Now for Miss Benton's."
"They are all in there" said the
doctor. "At least they were when we
passed just now"
II heard them all leave moment
ago." Hendricks told him. II think
they went into the drawing room to
take look at the corpse. 1t is arranged
by this time The undertaken and his
men passed the window just now. We
shan't find much in Miss Benton's
room, however, for, judging by her
looks, she has her share of caution, and
she has had time. having been in her
room since the inquest, to cover up
traces"
Hendricks led his friend from the
room. The door Of Miss Benton's apart
ment was locked, but the detective
opened it with one Of the keys in the
chambermaid' bunch. When he and
Lampkin were inside, he closed and
bolted the door.
"Bed's been tumbled pretty we'll"
he remarked, "but l don't think Miss
Benton slept much on it last night I
wonder what she did with her satchel
or bag She had to take something, and
trunk was out of the question.
Hendricks opened the door Of closet.
"Ahl" he exclaimed. "There you
are, doctor There is bag almost as
large as Montcastles up on that shelf
by the bandbox.. She packed it, then
unpaoked it and took the trouble to re-
place it up there"
"Are you surep' asked the doctor.
dead sure"
DR.. Lampkin looked inoredulous
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
worn," he said.
swell, what if they haven't?"
1.-THE creases in EN- show that they
have been folded to fit the bag. The
wrinkles indicate that they have been
compressed considerably.
"Ahl"
Don't simply say Ali! if you want
to talk, said the detective, initiating
his friend tone at sounds like ap-
plause from the gallery. It's loud, but
it means nothing
'I'm doing my best" was Lamp
kin g 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 cobwets, lint
and dust that was on it" Hendricks
picked up soiled towel and exhibited
it to his companion Then be reached
up and took the empty bag from the
shelf See how free from dust it is, "
he ran OH, with merry chuckle, "I'll
bet you dinner that the bandbox next
to it is covered with dust !"
"pll 90 you," returned Lampkin,
though know you will win.
Hendricks sneezed as he drew the
boz from the shelf
"Che-hool There is enough dust to
fill the eyes of all the detectives in
America, and her ladyship did not rtil
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 so
early in game in my life, was the
answer IF did, I'd follow my opin-
ions nose into trouble. 1t is because |
am continually drowning that | am
able to clutch circumstantial straws
See?"
Have you found any motive?" ques
GlOneQ inc uOCtOr
"Mouve enough, the Lord knows"
muttercd Hendricks, "too much mo-
tive. That's the drawback Son is heir
to big fortune; daughter ditto; man i'll
love with her or her chances and an.
other fellow as mad as blazes at tho
dead man fer usurping his rights, or
fancied rights, to certain patents and
inventions.
''You mean that Mr.. Brooks Allen?'
said Lampkin. II heard the chief CT
police talking about his intimacy with
old Mr. Benton when | went out to
send that telegram. Shall you follow
him up?"
mot till have cleared this rubbish
away" returned the detective. with
perplexed frown. He looked again at
the bed in the room. Il wish really
knew if Miss Benton slept in her bed.
1t has a cold, unused appearance. II
she did not, she has tumbed 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 be
quickly Rlided to the closet. closed the
door and turned the key
II declare" sounded Miss Benton's
voice II believe some one has bolted
my door on the inside"
perhaps it may be the detective"
said Miss Hastings HE told me he
was going to look around the house. "
In my room? How dare-the i'm
pertinencei won't stand"-
"Sh!" interrupted Miss Hastings
"They can hear you. "
II don't care if they do. What
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 tho knob warning
rattle and then slid back the bolt,