The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1898-04-01

at-home little body"
How very simple!" the mayor ex-
claimed. IF only your keen sight will
help us solve this mystery, we shall be
all grateful"
: Mrs. Roundtree seemed displeased
with the delay.
Aren't you going to do something
towards protecting our house, cap
tain?" she asked, turning to Welsh.
''Some one has attempted the life of my
child. 1 shall go mad if something is
not done at once"
Capt. Welsh looked embarrassed
THE case is really in Mr.. Hendricks
hands," he said awkwardly. 1T is so
hard to get his services, owing to his
wide reputation and the demands on his
time. that he is usually granted unlim-
tied authority and" He stopped for
lack of words.
There is no reason why you may not
place guard round the house night and
day. captain" said Hendricks, frown-
ing slightly at Welsh's compliment. eff
it allays the fears of the ladies it will
serve good purpose
THANK you," said Mrs. Roundtree,
coldly.
where is your telephone, mayor"
asked Welsh.
I'm the library across the hall. Show
it to him, Lilian," said the mayor.
When Mrs. Roundtree heard the tele-
phone bell ring she went into the Ii
brary to hear Welsh give his orders, and
Fred Walters followed her, leaving the
mayor and Hendricks together.
while they are in there, l should be
glad to get look at the grounds from
back window upstairs, if you will
show me up" said the detective.
"Certainly. with pleasure" the mayor
replied. This way" And he led Hen
bricks up the rear steps to the floor
above. There is a window in this
servants room," he went on, pushing
door open, ''but it looks out on the side
rather than the back. The old lumber
room is in the rear; but you'll get all
over dust if you 60 there"
mo matter; it won't hurt me-"
When they had opened the door of
the lumber-room and were making
their way through dusty piles of old
furniture, carpets, rugs, pictures and
broken statuary. Hendricks smiled and
pointed to typewriter on table near
the window. "See how we'll guessed"
he said, crossing the room and bending
over the machine. 81 am interested in
typewriters. 1 had chance to buy
stock in one before they became the
rage, and if I had done so l would now
be too rich to have to be nosing round
in other peoples affairs like this. This
machine was made about 's5; purple
and copying" he added, rubbing his
finger on the ribbon and transferring
the stain to his cuff. 81 like the black
better" Then he went to a window
and carelessly looked out. "Ah!" he
said; you see how thick the woods are
behind the place where we found his
tracks? He could have got away very
easily. Would your daughter be able
to defend herself, Mr.. Roundtree, in
case of sudden attack?" Hendricks
asked. as they came back toward the
stairs. Can she use revolver?''
Quite well, indeed" the mayor an
swered; "her husband taught her. But
l don't like her to carry one. 1t makes
ner mOtner uneasy.
AS they reached the lower floor the
others were coming from the library.
Welsh went out to call cab, and Hen
bricks Joined him. The moment the
cab stopped at the door, the captain
got in, but Hendricks held back. 81
have left my umbrella out there" he
said apologetically. "Wait moment"
Hendricks went down the walk, and
was soon hidden from view by the
lockwood bushes. Five minutes passed.
Welsh was impatiently wondering
what had become of him, when he
emerged from the shrubbery, lighting
cigar. Without a word of explanation
for his delay, he got into the cab be-
side Welsh, and told the driver to go
ahead.
WELL" said Mrs. Roundtree, as the
cab drove away, "that man must be
overrated. certainly. If had not heard
that he was a brilliant member of his
profession, should have said he was
che most stupid man alive. felt so
irritated by his dawdling actions that 1 |
was tempted to turn my back on him.
The idea OF his wanting to see the gar
dening tools, lecturing Robert about
not hanging up a watering-pot, and |
using our house to write his CORE
spondence inland at such an awful |
time, too"
Il think he was unable to find ghost |
of a clew," remarked Fred Walters.
HE was trying to hide his disappoint- |