The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1898-03-19
From Clue to Climax.
BY WILL N. HARDEN.
copyright 1896. by J. B. Lippncott Col
CHAPTER VIII.-CoNTINuEp.

>~'1
CHAPTER VIII.-CoNTINuED
The detective picked up the water
ing pot and emptied about a quart of
water on the ground. "You ought to
have given that to your thirsty plants, =
he said.
ut is the first time have left water
in it, sir" apologized Robert. Il sup
pose was absent-minded yesterday"
$50 you have not used it to-day?"
"No, sir"
SWELL, that's ALL" said Hendricks,
turning to the mayor. 1T is very per-
picking case indeed"
"Shall l telephone my men?" asked
Capt Welsh. Don't you think we
ought to take some steps to catch the
fellow?"
mot yet" replied Hendricks; and,
walking by Welsh, he nudged him
sharply with his elbow. But we can
go into the house out of the SUM-"
AS they started to the house Hen
bricks dropped back with Fred Wal
ters and his wife, but she went forward
and joined her mother. When they
were in the hall Hendricks said:
'Where is your study, Mr.. RoundtreeI
This room on the right?"
"Yes," replied the mayor.
swell, let's go in there a moment
Ali" he exclaimed, in tone of salts.
faction, as they entered the room, "you
have a typewriter. II is just what
want; must write letter at once
to my assistant in New York, to tell
him that l am detained here. But
can't use this make of machine. Who
uses it, Mr.. Roundtree? All, see Mrs
Walters does"
They all looked at Hendricks in won.
der.
"Pray, how did you guess that?'
asked Mrs. Walters, cold smile on hel
face.
"One of the tricks of my calling" was
the reply. cts easy. / noticed that
the nails of your two index fingers are
worn down roughly, SO know that you
not only write ON the machine, but yor
do it slowly, for you employ only those
two fingers. Experienced writers use
all the fingers of the hand"
st is simple enough since you have
explained it," replied Mrs. Walters
'And you are exactly right"
"Will you oblige me by writing {
short note at my dictation?" Hendricks
asked, pushing chair towards the ma
chine. 81 would scratch it down will
pencil, but all the letters l send to my
Office are carefully filed, and they lool
better typewriter"
81 have machine and stenographel
at the office" interposed Capt. Welsh
my man will do it for you in a hurry
Surely we have no time to lose; tn,
mayor and the ladies will feel insecure
if we do not make move pretty soon.
II think myself, Mr.. Hendricks
the mayor began, but the detective in
terrupted him:
''Oh, it will only take a moment.
have an addressed envelope ready in m,
pocket, and / can drop it in letter
box as l go down. Take a seat, Mrs
Walters"
Lillian obeyed, with curious upwar,
look into his face and a touch of hesita
ton as she put a sheet of paper be
tween. the rollers.
Dear Hasbrooke," Hendricks begal
Your letter received. Am engage
on Important case here. Can't com
this week. Will wire you later. Lads
ley NEtair must wait. Hendricks"
When Mrs. Walters had drawn tn
sheet from the machine and given it t
the detective he turned to the mayor.
What did you do with your old type
writer?" he asked, as he folded tn
letter and put it into an envelope an
took a stamp from his watchcase.
why, I-I-think it is in the lumber
room," the mayor stammered. "Bu
how did you know had one?"
Hendricks smiled as he touched tn
stamp with his tongue and placed
carefully on the corner of the envelop
Another easy thing. Judging from il
appearance this machine cannot hay
been in use more than a month; an
Mrs. Walters writes too we'll to ha,
learned within that time. l did nc
think it likely that she had practice
out OF the house. She looks like sta,
at-home little body"
"How very simple!" the mayor e.
claimed. IF only your keen sight wi
help us solve this mystery, we shall
all grateful"
Mrs. Roundtree seemed displease
with the delay.
aren't you going to do somethir
towards protecting our house, ca
tain?" she asked, turning to Wells
"Some one has attempted the lie of N
child. 1 shall go mad if something
not done at once"
Capt. Welsh looked embarrasse
"The case is really in Mr.. Hendrick
hands," he said awkwardly. 1T is
hard to get his services, owing to b
wide reputation and the demands on h
time, that he is usually granted unliI
tied authority and" He stopped f
lack of words.