Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1898-04-28
CHAPTER VIu.-CoNrINUED.

CHABIER Nllls-CONTINUED.
The detective picked up the water
ing pot and empted about a quart of
water on the ground you ought to
have given that to your thirsty plants,
he said.
1T is the first time l have left water
in it, sir" apologized Robert. 81 sup
pose | was absent-minded yesterday"
$50 you have not used it to-day?"
"No, sir
well, that's all" said Hendricks,
turning to the mayor tits a va'y per-
picking case indeed"
"Shall telephone my men?" asked
Capt. Welsh. Don't you think we
ought to take some steps to catch the
fellow?"
Not yet" replied Hendricks; and,
walking by Welsh, he nudged him
sharply with his elbow. But we can
go into the house out of the sun"
AS they started to the house Hen
dricks dropped back with Fred Wal
ters and his wife, but she went forward
and joined her mother, When they
were in the hall Hendricks said
Where is your study, Mr.. Roundtree
This room on the Tight?"
''Yes," #" replied the mayor.
We'll, let's go in there a moment.
Ah!" he exclaimed in tone of salts
faction, as they entered the room, you
have a typewriter 1t is just what
want; l must write a letter at once
to my assistant in New York, to tell
him that | am detained here. But /
can't use this make of machine. Who
uses it, Mr.. Roundtree? All, | see Mrs
Walters does'
They all looked at Hendricks in won.
der
Pray, how did you guess that?'
asked Mrs. Walters, cold smilo.on hel
face.
"One of the tricks of my calling, was
the reply. IT'S easy. noticed that
the nails of your Two index fingers are
worn down roughly, so know that you
not only write on the machine, but yol
do it slowly, for you employ only those
two fingers. Experienced writer's use
all the fingers of the hand"
at is simple enough since you have
explained it," replied Mrs. Walters
And you are exactly right"
"Will you oblige me by writing I
short note at my dictation? ?" Hendricks
asked, pushing a chair towards the ma
chine. Il would scratch it down will
pencil, but all the letters l send to my
Office are carefully filed, and they lool
better typewriter"
u have a machine and stenographei
at the Office" interposed Capt. Welsh
my man will do it for you in hurry
Surely we have no time to lose; tn,
mayor and the ladies will feel insecure
if we do not make a move pretty soon.
Il think myself, Mr.. Hendricks
the mayor began, but the detective in
terrupted him:
'Oh, it viii only take a moment.
have an addressed envelope ready in IN,
pocket, and can drop it in a letter
box as l go down. Take a seat, Mrs
Walters"
Lillian oDeyeu, with curious upward
look into his face and a touch of hesita
ton as she put a sheet of paper be
tween the rollers.
Dear Hasbrooke," Hendricks begal
-"Your letter received, Am engage
on important case here. Can't com
this week. VIII wire you later. Lads
ley affair must wait. Hendricks"
When Mrs. Walters had drawn tn
sheet from the machine and given it +
the detective he turned to the mayor,
what did you do with your old type
writer?" he asked, as he folded th
letter and put it into an envelope an
took a stamp from his watchcase.
"Why. I-I-think it is in the lumber
ROOM" the mayor stammered. "Bu
how did YOU know I had one?'
Hendricks smiled as he touched th
stamp with his tongue and placed
carefully on the corner of the envelop.
Another easy thing. Judging from il
appearance this machine cannot hay
been in use more tAan month; an
AIRS Walters writes too well TO has