Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1898-02-07
CHAPTER VIII.

n the presence of the two young ladies
and were going toward the drawing
room, where a constant stream of peo-
pie was coming in and going out, when
Hendricks nudged his friend in the side
and looked up toward the front stair
case. Ralph Benton was ascending,
sliding his hand on the railing.
"Going to his room, " said Hendricks
n in whisper. ''He has heard of our be-
N ing in his sisters apartment We must
keep a peeled eye on him. haven't
N liked his looks since he swooned on me
so beautifully. He's got his sisters dis
position to cover up tracks, and if am
n not mistaken he is the more expert of
the two. Well loiter here minute. -
"You were searching for powder
marks on Miss Bent toms wrist just
now, 3" remarked Lampkin, with tone
of conviction, as the detective paused
and leaned against the wall.
Exactly. WASH It trying to make
mash, you may bet your hat Oh that
Chow did you know she hadn't wash
ed her hands?"
81 didn't think she had People
never do under great excitement There
was no water in her jug on the wash
stand or any in the slop jar. Besides,
powder stains blown in the skin are
hard to obLterate. -
"Did you find them?''
"No."
"Then she is innocent of the actual
crime
eff she didn't wear gloves when she
pulled the trigger" interrupted Hen
bricks, with little laugh. Come OH;
times up. We must surprise that fell
low in his room.
Hendricks bounded up the tlickly
carpeted stairs, taking four steps at a
stride. Pausing at Ralph Benton S door,
he grasped the knob firmly and turned
it without making sound. Then he
pressed against the door steadily.
Locked" he granted. The word
had scarcely left his lips when his
shoulder came against the door with
the force of a battering ram. The frail
most fell into the room.
Ralph was standing in a corner,
holding an envelope over low turned
gas jet.
81 beg pardonP' exclaimed Hen
bricks. can accident, I assure you My
foot slipped. and I tumbled against
your door I'm deviIish awkward
Hope haven't done much damage -
tits all right" stammered the young
man. As he spoke the burning envelope
went out, and the crisp black remains
were blown across the room. ''I-I was
Just trying to clean up some old rub.
Dish in my desk. l suppose you want to
look about here. I really have no objec-
ftion-anythi that will help you get
lat the facts. OF course the whole place
lis at your disposal"
'Thank you," said Hendricks, STEP
ping between him and the ashes of the
Envelope. my friend and myself would
for writing are here-that is, if it is no
Intrusion.
Ralph shrugged his shoulders
"You are quite welcome" he re-
turned, with defiant, logged express
sion.
Hendricks sat down at the desk,
picked up pen and dipped it into the
Thompson said he would take 81, COG
me later than tomorrow to decide. Now,
/ intend to offer him.
Hendricks paused and glanced up at
Ralph 81 beg your pardon, Mr.. Ben
ton, but this is-er-a little private deal
we were about to make, and if you had
just as SOON
"Oh, I'm goingp' exclaimed Ralph,
a smile and a sheer blending on his
handsome face. 81 am really sorry if
have intruded ON you
Hendricks seemed to enjoy the situa-
Ttion.
"Call again, Mr.. Benton" ne
laughed. ''Sorry we are busy today"
II like your cheek" remarked DR..
Lampkin when the young man had left
the room.
"Shl'' The smile had left Hendricks
face 1t was tense and serious. He rose
softly, tiptoed to the door, opened it
slightly and looked out.
Cant be too cautious he remarked
as he leaned chair against the door to
keep it closed. Eyes, I admire my
cheek, % he went on as he came back
to the doctor, ''but like his more. I
tell you he's a corker.'
81 dropped ON to your ruse to get
him out of the room," said Lampkin.
81 knew of no Thompson or any corner
lot
Better to do it decently, returned
the detective. "Never give 'em chance
Ito be defiant and tell you to mind your
own business. My idea is to keep on
friendly terms with the whole lot. 1t
was that fragment was after Hen
bricks pointed to the charred remains of
the envelope. "He was burning it as
I'VE came up stairs. I could smell it
Through the crack of the door. That's
|why I broke in so suddenly"
Hendricks took a sheet of writing