The Holly chieftain., 1898-03-25

AId, taking q silver-mounted lens from
his pocket, he carefully examined the
bullet-hole. For moment no one
spoke: then he said: II wonder il we
could find that little piece OF lead.
Would you mind coming with us and
showing me exactly where you stood ~
Not at ALL" Mrs. Walters rose with
a gratified smile.
Dent you think we are losing tirne,
Mr.. Henilricks?" asked Capt. Welsh. in
an updertone. II am afraid" But
Hendricks pinched the captains arm
warningly, and the remark was not an
ished.
They had reached the lawn, when
Hendricks stopped Mrs. Walters snd
examined her sleeve again.
Not satisfied yet?'' she laughed.
II can see better here in the sun
light" he answered. II have made a
study of the effect of bullets. fred at
different distances. on various stuffs."
81 have often thoughtyour profession
must be a fascinating one" Mrs. Wal
ters 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-bc criminals only knew that
we understood half we do. they would
not commit crime SO often"
II 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"
Il sce." said Hendricks. "what did
he look like? How was he dressed?'
Il am afraid ! can't describe him ac-
curately. He seemed of medium height,
had on gray clothes, and wore q long
dark beard"
"rhe smoke may have given you the
impression that his clothes were
gray" said Hendricks. "May I take
your place a moment?"
She stepped back, smiling Mt the
Others. who stood on the walk. and he
changed places with her. He stuck his
umbrella in one of her tracks and left
it there. "Only TO mark the spot" he
said, indifferently. Now let's all go
over to the fence, and see il the rascal
left any footprints there"
They all walked to the corner Of the
fence, and locked over towards the
trees near by. II think" Mrs. Wal
ters caught the sudden. sharp glnnce Of
Hendricks, and paused. ~ started to
say that it looks as II there were foot
prints over there" she said, pointing I'd
spot where the yellow clay showed in
the short grass; shut may be mis-
| taken"
Hendricks moved into her place. low
cred his height to hers. and gazed at the
spot for moment, then he looked mt
her sharply. "Your eyes are better
than mine, Mrs. Walters. can't make
ont anything"
"You have the keencst eyesight in
America" said Capt. Welsh, with a
smile. 1--WE have all heard nbout your
experience with the Brooklyn blood
| specks-"
| Now think I sec what Mrs. Walters
means," Hendricks broke in, with q
slight frown. "It is easy to see what
we know exists" He put his hands on
the rail of the fence, and, with the grace
and ease of an acrobat. sprang over the
sharp-pointed palings. The others
passed through gate near by. and
came round to him as he was on his
hands and knees, examining two deep
y marked tracks In the yellow clay.
Wore q number ten," he said. "Hnd
any rain ont here in the last two dnyso''
lie was looking up at Fred Walters.
II think not--none for week." re-
Piled Walters. looking inquiringly
round the group
Hendricks said nothing, but, mo-
fioning them to stand out of the way,
he stood behind the footmnrks md,
with half-closed eyes. steadily sighted
ut the umbrella he had stuck in the
earth, slowly moving from, side to side
ond up and down.
THAT'S all we enn do here" he said,
finally. II shall run over in the yard
and see II can see anything Of the
bullet" Again he vaultcd over the
fence, walked hnrriedly across the
grass. passed his umbrella, and began
10 examine the plastered wall of the
conservatory beyond. He did not turn
his head or make any remark us the
others approached.
did you expect to find IL there"
asked Mrs. Walters. with smile.
Hardly" he replied. II only wanted
to confirm my belief that it was not
there
"Ah!" she said, and her eyes fell be-
fore his sharp glance.
If you are through, we will go in out
OF the sum-" said the mayor, a trace Of
impatience in his tone. "You may use
my telephone If you want to commun;-
cate with your men,"
Il want to nose around n little out
here" said Hendricks, lightly. ''Where
does your gardener keep bis tools?"
Mr.. Roundtrec called Robert, the
gardener. who stood cn the veranda
with the other servants, and he came to
him.
Where do yon keep your tools?'
asked Hendricks--"your hoes. ralses,
knives and such thirgs?"
I'm the little room in the conscrya-
tory. SIR" Robert replied.
''Oh. In here" Hendricks entered the
conservatory and tried the door of the
little room near the entrance.