Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1898-06-02

over your name. If you know anything
about it, and won't tell me, shall be
compelled to arrest you on suspicion"
The boy stared into Hendricks face
for an instant in abiect terror; then he
burst into tears. lie darted towards
the door, but the detective caught his
arm, and drew him, struggling, back
into the room.
Mammal mammal" shrieked the
boy with all his strength, and he rolled
on the floor in Hendricks clutch and
beat the legs of his captor with his
fists just then q white-faced, middle
aged woman ran into the room from
the rear stairs, followed by the maid
who had admitted them. On seeing
her, and being released by the detective,
the boy ceased his cries, ran to his
mother and hid his face in her lap. She
could only stare at the two visitors in
speechless amazement.
Hendricks bowed very low and STAN
mered out an explanation.
81 am a detective" he said. "a very
important letter has been written under
the address of this house and over the
name of Frederick Champney I can't
think this little fellow could be guilty
of any misdemeanor, you know, madam,
but from his actions it is plain to me
that he knows something about the mat.
ter. lie started to run away, and ! had
to hold him"
"Fred!" The woman almost gasped
as she forced the white face of the boy
towards her own. erred, do you know
anything of what this man is talking
about?"
The boy darted towards her lap again,
but she held him firmly in front of her
and shook him fiercely.
Speak, I say! What is the matter
with you? If you have been up to any
devilment--"
Il didn't write it, mamma the boy
whimpered
"WeT, who did? What do you know
about it? Speak, l tell you, or I'll
thrash you within an inch of your
life"
Don't be hard on him." Hendricks
intcrposed 81 think I understand,
He will tell us all about it. That is the
best way"
The boy dried his eyes, and took his
head out of his mothers apron. For a
moment there was deep silence as he
stood hesitatingly before her.
"Uncle Tom" falteIed the boy. "He
did it. promised him not to tell soul
not even you; and wouldn't, but you
made me"
"Ah, l see," said the woman, angrily
and her gray eyes flashed as she turned
to Hendricks. 1T is some of my broth
er's mischief; but I will not have him
mixing my innocent children up in his
miserable affairs. It is shameful, the
way he has been acting!"
HE asked me to let him use my
name," said the boy, who had grown
calmcr. 'He told me it wasn't anything
but a joke on friend of his--a woman
who thought she was writing to a mar
she never saw. l took the answers t.
Uncle Tom"
"Outrageous!" cried the woman. {"
am ashamed of my own name when On'
who bears it can do such things"
'Where is he 2" asked Hendricks, Will
sudden craftiness of look and manner
at is only a trifing matter, that car
easily be settled, but I'd like to see him.
Hes upstairs, asleep, now," tn
woman replied, still angrily. "He'
sleeping off one of his all-night prowl
around town. I have been willing Il
give him bed and board here when h
is with us, in spite of his being regula
disgrace to US all with his queer no
tions. Sarah" she broke off suddenly
seeing that Hendricks had moved near
er the toor and signaled to Dr. Lamp
kin, "run up and tell him to come dow
here, and to be quick about it. wan
an explanation of his conduct, and II
have it now"
ITO BE CONTINUED