The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1897-05-29

copyright, 1870, b.
did not touch me, and ran away. Mem.
ma thinks you ought to notify the po-
lice" i. 49,. ,,.....,;. =. .-.-.
Fred is coming at once" the mayor
telephoned. 'Stay indoors. l shall
notify the police, and come as quickly as
. can" ~.: ..~-
When Mrs. Roundtree had heard her
husbands message she drew her daugh-
ter down on the sofa beside her and sat
silently stroking her hand and looking
anxiously towards the door. James
took a position on the veranda, and the
other servants stood expectantly in the
hall.
In IS minutes a cab dashed up the
drive, and Fred Walters alighted, ran
into the library, and took his wife in
his arms.
''Oh, my darling, are you hurt?" he
asked, beside himself with excitement.
Erred, don't be silly" she said, cold
ly pushing him from her. II tele-
phoned that was unframed"
Look ut her sleeve" walled Mrs.
Roundtree, almost in tears. "The bull
let passed within an inch of her arm.
Oh, 1 don't know what to do! It is aw-
full"
Fred stopped to examine the hole in
the sleeve.
II was standing this way" Mrs. Wal
tiers explained, with sudden animation,
land when. heard the report"
"Your father is coming" interrupted
Mrs. Eoundtree, as the sound of wheels
was heard, and they all went to win
dow. It was the mayor, with Capt.
Welsh and Minard Hendricks, in cab.
II wonder if that detective hasn't
high opinion of his ability" said Mrs.
Walters. "He looks as if he thought he
would get to the bottom of the whole
mystery in very short time" She sat
down in rocking-chair, spread out her
skirts, and pulled at the big sleeves Of
her wrapper. Il suppose he will begin
to catechisc me. am not presentable
like this, but tiff ran upstairs, to fix
up little, you would thinls-I suppose
YOU think I am an odd creature any
way"
No one answered her. The mayor
was entering, followed by the others.
He bent down and kissed his daughter,
and then said: my dear, this is Mr..
Hendricks. There is not second to
lose He wants to ask you some ques-
tiqns."
Mrs. Walters bowed and smiled. II
am ready, Mr.. Hendricks. Think you'll
fnd me calmer than any of the rest"
sit is usually the case," Hendricks
replied, with a smile. Then his smile
vanished, and he bent his piercing gray
eyes upon her so steadily that her own
wavered little, and she dropped her
hand to arrange her skirt. You were
on the lawn?" he said, CHANGING out at
window, as if to relieve her embarrass-
ment.
Mrs. Walters instantly recovered her
self-possession and looked him coldly
in the eyes.
eyes, on the right of the walk, among
the rose bushes. was gathering roses.
The bullet passed through my sleeve.
See! it was near enough, wasn't it?"
"Quite, should think. It must have
surprised you."
'It did, of course" answered Mrs.
Walters, holding her roses to her nose.
81 heard the report, and then felt some
thing like little. very little. tug at
mysleeve."
"You are sure about that?" asked
Hendricks, in an Indifferent tone. "You
are sure that you heard the report be-
fore you felt the ball touch your
sleeve?"
"Quite sure" said she; "but Why"
"He was not inside the fence?" went
on the detective, looking through the
window again.
"No; outside the fence. at the corner
of the lott
"Ah, yes. I see." he replied. in a nom
committal tone. "He must have been
100 yards from you. Permit me, please"
Ard, taking silver-mounted lens from
his pocket. he carefully examined the
bullet-hole. For moment no ono
spoke: then he said: IT wonder if we
could find that little piece OF lead.
Would you mind coming with us and
showing me exactly where you stood 2"
"Not at ALL" Mrs. Walters rose with
gratified smile.
"Don't you think we are losing time,
Mr.. Hendricks?" asked Capt. Welsh, in
an undertone. II am afraid" But
Hendricks pinched the captains arm
warningly. and the remark was not fin
ished.
They had reached the lawn, when
Hendricks stopped Mrs. Walters and
examined her sleeve again.
"Not satisfied yet?" she laughed.
II can see better here in tn. sum
light" he answered. II have made a
study of the effect of bullets. fred at
different distances. on various stuffs."
II have often thoughtyour profession
: must be fascinating one" Mrs. Wal
tiers remarked. as they started down the
walk. -.
ut is getting to be rather uninterest-
Ing employment. 1t is so easy to catch
up with people unskilled in our craft.
IF would-be criminals only knew that
we understood half we do. they would
not commit crime so often"
81 had not thought of that" said
Mrs. Walters, curiously studying his
features. "But here is the spot. Now,
don't let anyone come here but Mr..
Hendricks" she added to the others;
you ought not to track it up till he sees
my footprints. . There they are, Mr..
Hendricks: don't you see where my
sharp heels went in? You can see that
was facing that why. The man stood
over at the corner Of the fence"
ct GOO eo;d Hendr;cks "What did