Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1898-04-21


81 am afraid / can't describe him ac-
curately, lie seemed of medium height
had on gray clothes, and wore long
dark beard"
"The smoke may have given you the
impression that his clothes were
gray" said Hendricks. May ] take
your place a moment?"
She stepped back, smiling at the
others, who stood on the walk, aid he
changed places with her lie stuck his
umbrella in one of her tracks and left
it there. ''Only to mark the spot" he
said, indifrerently. Now let's all go
over to the fence, and see if the rascal
left any footprints there"
They all walked to the corner of the
fence, and looked over towards the
trees near by. 81 thipk-" Mrs. Wal
ters caught the sudden, sharp glance of
Hendricks, and paused. II started to
say that it looks as if there were foot
prints over there" she said, pointing to
q spot where the yellow clay showed in
the short grass; "but l may be mis-
taken"
Hendricks moved into her place, low
cred his height to hers, and gazed at the
spot for moment, then he looked at
her sharply. "Your eyes are better
than mine, Mrs. Walters. can't make
out anything"
you have the keenest eyesight in
America" said Can't. Welsh, with a
smile. 1--WE have all heard about your
experience with the Brooklyn blood
speclls-"
"NowI think see what Mrs. Walters
means" Hendricks broke in, with
slight frown. "It is easy to see what
we know exists" He put his hands on
the rail of the fence, and, with the grace
and ease of an acrobat, sprang over the
sharp-pointed palings. The others
passed through a gate near by, and
came round to him as he was on his
hands and knees, examining two deep
ly marked tracks in the yellow clay
"Wore a number ten," he said. Had
any rain out here in the last two days"
lie was looking up at Fred Walters
81 think not-none for a week." re-
piled Walters, looking inquiringly
round the group.
Hendricks said nothing, but, mo-
tioning them to stand out of the way,
he stood behind the footmarks and,
with half-closed eyes, steadily sighted
at the umbrella he had stuck in the
earth, slowly moving from side to side
and up and down.
That's all we can do here" he said,
finally. 81 shall run over in the yard
and see if can see anything of the
bullet" Again he vaulted over the
fence, walked hurriedly across the
grass, passed his umbrella, and began
TO examine the plastered wall of tLu
conservatory beyond lie did not tur9
his head or make any remark as thh
others approached.
"Did you expect to find it therc?'
asked Mrs. Walters, with a smile.
Hardly" he replied. 81 only wanted
to confirm my belief that it was not
there"
"Ah!" she said and her eyes fell be-
fore his sharp glance.
IF you are through, we will go in out
of the sum-" said The mayor, trace OI
impatence in his tone. you may use
my telephone if you want to communi
cate with your men,"
81 want to nose around a little on,
here" said Hendricks, lightly, "Whert
does your gardener keep his tools"
Mr. Roundtree called Robert, the
gardener, who stood On the verandG
with the other servants, and he came tC
him.
"Where do you keep your tools?'
asked Hendricks-"your hoes, rakes
knives and such things?"
"In the little room in the conserv0
tory, sir" Robert replied.
"Oh, in here" Hendricks entered TIT
conservatory and tried the door of tn
little room near the entrance.
1T is locked, sir" said Robert, pro
ducing a bunch of keys.
1T was not last night" said Hen
bricks, as he thrust the key into th
, lock.
NO, sir, l forgot it last night" An
Robert looked at the detective supet
stitiously.
mo harm DONE" replied Hendrick.
3 He opened the door and glanced a
a heap of gardening implements on til
floor.
you ought to hang up your water
ing pot" he remarked to the servan
1T will rust the bottom to set it dow
! damp"
81 usually do, sir" the man star
mered. II thought did the last time.
fro BE Continued