The Delta independent., 1898-02-18
CHAPTER ",


CHAPTER w.
The gardener was coming with Ben
ton. The old man was pale and trem-
bling with excitement.
"Don't be frightened" said the de.
tective kindly. 1T is not you I'm after.
but want you to help me run the viii
lain down. What's your nameT'
Wilson. sir; John Wilson. I've been
gardener here. sir, for
Ibid you put this sand here yester.
day?" interrupted Hendricks.
YES, sir. The master told me "A
long as it was going on the drive in
front that I might as well put it in the
walks to kill the crab grass. The sand
gets very hard, sir, when it has rained
on it, and it becomes almost the same
a. cement"
"what time did you do it?''
"About I O'Clock, sir. haven't yet
finished the whole walk. The other
eud''-
"You used Q wheelbarrow to bring
the sand from that pile up there and
you scattered IL on with hce?"
"Yes. sir," replied the old man won
deringly. my shovel was carried OF
IN one of the carta Master would not
allow the heavy cart wheels 70 cut the
turf here, and had to use my barrow. -
"You stood on the sides and smoothed
the sand with rake?''
"Ycs, sir. but didn't know you was
here. r.
u.-x1~,.L- up....l -
smiled. There's hang M compliment
for you," he said. Then he pointed to
where the tracks ended no abruptly and
said TO Wilson:
Have you been sweeping or rsking
in this sand here since the body was
foundg'
"why, no. sir. I haven't been down
here st all. They told Ms in the Kitchen
that the policemen would not allow any
Of rs TO see the MASTER
"Thst certainly IL very remarkable.
broke in Ralph Benton. looking at the
tracks. "Mr. Hendricks, where do you
think the murderer stood when he fired
ut my father?'
Hendricks seemed not to have henrd
the question. He was looking toward
the house.
II sec soine men coming" he said.
"Ab, IL In the chief and tho coronerv'
He went forward to meet them, and
Lampkin saw him shaking hands with
the men and bowling.
1.-THE jury for tho inquest are gather
ing," said Ralph TO Lamplsin. I'm go
to the house md see about where IL will
be held. Will you go up, doctor?'
"No, thanks" replied Lampkin.
"I'll wait for Hendricks. I see be il
coming"
The chief and the coroner stopped TO
speak TO Ralph. and Hendricks came
back to Or. Lampkin.
II have Just thought Of something. I"
be said. pointing to the tracks near the
dead man. "You see, they look ns II
they came from the side gate"
"Yes. Then you don't think the
crime was committed by any member
Of the bouseholdr' replied the doctor.
"I can't see what that's got TO do
with IT," said Hendricks, strokin9 his
chin thoughtfully. "Ah, I'm glad the
sun In shininRr' he said, STOPPING to-
ward the grass and sighting across the
level ground at the gate which opened
from q side street. Mature often lends
me . helping hand. There 10 no artifi-
ciality about her. and she won't be
tampered with"
"I don't follow you," aid Lampkin,
nystified.
"It il the dew aRain," explained
Hendricks "On the front lawn awhile
ago, before the SON rose, We hsd only
the frosty appearance TO guide Ms. but
pow in the sunlight the whole surfacs
a the graa 10 . carpet Of green BE-
spangIed with blue. red and yellow dis-
1ouds-that is. except . path leading
disscs frua this puiss 10 that sase over
thses."
Lanpki. came b the side of The DE-
escsivs ssd sighted over The swasd -
ehs gnts.
"Too ape fr NJ eyss." - aiA
''Ah. Dow ] 80 Whist yoa meaai By
1ovs. 70 is wonderfully eIesrr'
"The sruabye 10 thse 10 knocks ~
0osehsea oss u ssoskss thsusy." ~
Ossksd she detective With . ffUwn.
"whas = shssi''