The Delta independent., 1898-04-08
l1hE~ - - - By
0RTH~MMH'l y
I~Lk~ ~HARBEN
INSTERH~~~
| AUTHOR OF
-FRor1 GIVE TO SLirthx
'Tsf GAse or IAe eHhNeIHs su~:
:, SLnSST Psk sSAeEo: Aa1 e-c
coPrs.e-r 1877. 81 SItI ~ nAssss
CHAPTER XVI.


lighted only by low burning gas jet
which swung ever the center table.
Ralph sat on n diyan, the chain of his
handouts hanging between Lis knees.
The tail, heavily built policeman leaned
in the doorway.
Ralph laughed an Hendricks entered.
~ can't complain at this treatment.
Hendricks, he said, land, rs to the
cab, pm glad you are not going to haul
me OF in the black maria Asit is open
at both ends, one wouid be liable to sit
in draft. ......
Hendricks smiled, but did nc: reply.
He turned to the policeman.
go get glass of beer and wait on
the stoop." he said.
Ralph began to fu,,ble in the pocket
of his W aistcoat and produced quarter
Of dollar.
II say, Hendricks" he said, rising
and tossing the money on the table.
lyon won't mind if stand treat, will
your"
"Not at ALL" was the answer. The
policeman grinued as he picked up the
coin and touched his hat TO the young
man, who had resumed his seat OIL the
divan. Hendricks sat down and drum
med on the table with his fingers.
Lampkin and Kola stood near the door.
II say, Hendricks, all jokes aside"
said Ralph, "are you detectives-you
fellows with names that are household
words, as it were-are you ever badly
mistaken"
"Seldom when we get along as far
as have with you, answered the de-
tective. "At any rate, you are an agree
able prisoner. You make it u pleasure
instead Of task. may say you fill
the bill Ideally"
The fire of Ralph's wit seemed to die
ont. His face grew serious.
There is no use going further with
this" said he. "Tcll me frankly what
evidence you have against me-"
Hendricks took u cigar case from his
pocket. He passed it first to Ralph,
then to Lampkin and the adept. Ralph
was the only one to accept, and he be-
came amused again when he tried to
get . match from his pocket and was
prevented by the handcuffs.
'You muy US well unchain me-" he
said "I promise not to break away. It
would be folly for me to try to down
the man at the door, you three and
your hosts Of hidden demons, who are
the Renii of the masters dark lantern. "
II don't think shall run Gny risks"
said the detective, striking q match and
holding it to the end Of the young mans
cigar. "'A bird in hand, you know.
'is worth two on tho roof as the Ger
mans putjt" HHtQ gE
Ralph nodded.
1.-The only thing that puzzles me-"
be said, sis my arrest. 1t is iucongru-
ous. am the stone that spoils the
mosnic. I ought not to be in it. but it
seems that / am. Hendricks, I have
had queer sort Of admiration for you
in tbs past. but have never thought
you could be stupid enough to arrest
the wrong man under any circum-
stances. If you don't unclnin me before
! explain, you shall cease to be my ideal
detective.
81 should dislike that" answered
Hendricks, ''but l presume my pride
must suffer-that is, if you are the
wrong man."
Ralph puffed two or three times TO
keep his cigar alight. Suddenly he bent
his puzzled gaze again on Hendricks.
Tell me exactly why you have ar
rested me. he demanded. ..You ara
woefullv of the trock. Honestly. tbat's
a fact;
"Am r., Hendricks shrugged his
shoulders and glanced slvly AT La,np.
kin. whose eve he canrht. II know
that on the night of the murder you
rame in at the side gate and crossed the
grass in bee line for the north walk.
I found YOUR tracks. tie only footpripts
not explained by others, near the body
Of ycur father. These tracks traced to
. certain point ON the walk, where
a." ,:'s. '. :. m .an'sn.u