Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1898-02-28

thing - do but humor your practical
| jokes? I knew you the minute you be-
| long you'd keep it up But enough OF
thing is enough. ;,
This snake, quoted Hendricks,
grinning audibly-.tEis snake is from
the stomach Of one Of the wealthiest
bankers in New York l removed it
without the slightest difficulty. >
Il give in, surrendered Lampkin.
Il have never seen you in a better dis
guise. How on earth did you alter your
voice that way?'
Loot a professional ventriloquist to
show me how to speak down in my
throat, replied the detective. ''How
did you drop On to me anyway
You may disguise YOUR face and
voice, said Lampkin, grinning. "but
your hunor, you know, would betray
you anywhere. There is not another
man in America who can get off such
weak, dabby jokes. All at once a vast
tired feeling came over me. I felt as if
1 were a sort Of composite reincarnation
of all the overworl1ed sewing women
that ever died, and then I knew you
were not far away.
are right I shall not joke tonight for
fear Of recognition. -
whats up?'' asked Lampkin eager
ly.
fWant you to take a round with me
tonight in a good make up. | left it
down stairs with the elevator boy.
IT'S it the Benton business?''
eyes
"What's turned up?"
Nothing yet, but I am going to try
to make something turn up
''Are the members of the house party
still at Granger asked the doctor.
''All Of them. Even Allen has gone
back to his old room. You remem Ger
told you that Benton's lawyer, Farm
hall, had missed some of the old man S
papers? Well, he and I have searched
high and low in several directions with
out success. But here is the point Farm
hall has sneaking idea that he is some
thing Of an expert in reading character
and has invited the whole party to meet
him at his house tonight. He thinks he
will be able to draw them all out in
conversation and force confession from
some one. -
"Then he thinks that some member
of the household stole the papers?'' ask
ed Lampkin.
eyes, ard committed the murder
also
"Doyou think SO, too?'' asked the doc
tor.
sECap,% apcxror fbat C1octio, 1ot
smiled the detective. "But his idea Of
forcing some one to confession put an
odd idea into my head. They will be
at his house at o'clock, and after they
leave there We'll get in our little
scheme"
whats that?''
ST shan't tell you. 1t would spoil the
dramatic effect. You'll see it all in tire
end.
'All right. Have your way.'' said
Lampkin.
Hendricks turned to the door.
CPL run down and get that make up
1t will add 40 years to your age. Iwant
to try it on you. We may not have a
use for the DISCUSSES, but then, again,
they may come in very handy. A good
many people know me by sight.
But said Lampkin, eff Farnhcll
should make some one own up, can you
still carry out your plan?"
Nobody will own up" answered
Hendricks. Hes good lawyer, but
poor detective. [ have made him prom
Use to let me know if he fails, and then
he is to turn the gang over to me. 1t
was not possible for you and me to be
present. He was afraid we'd be recog-
nized even in disguise, but we are to
wait in his dining room till he gets
through with them.
"And then?' began the doctor. But
with laugh the detective had opened
the door and gone down stairs.