The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1898-04-01
CHAPTER VIII.-CoNr1NUEp

CHAPTER VIu.-CoNTINUEp.
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.
1T is the first time have left water
in it, sir" apologized Robert. Il sup
pose l was absent-minded esterday."
$50 you have not used it to-day?'
mo, Sir"
well, that's ALL" said Hendricks,
turning to the mayor. 1T is a very per-
picking case indeed"
'Shall l telephone my menu" asked
Capt. Welsh. Don't you think we
ought to take some steps to catch the
feuow?"
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 thew
were in the hall Hendricks said:
Where is your study, Mr.. Roundtree?
This room on the right?'
Yes" replied the mayor
well, let's go in there moment.
Ali" he exclaimed. in u tone of salts
faction, as they entered the room, "you
have typewriter. 1t is just what
want; l must write Il letter at once
to my assistant in New York, to tell
him that | 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 2"
asked Mrs. Walters, a cold smile on her
face.
Zone IF the tricks of my calling" was
the reply. Its easy. l noticed that
tie nails of your Two index fingers are
worn down roughly, so know that you
not only write on the machine, but You
do it slowly. for you employ only those
two fingers. Experienced writer's use
all the fingers of the hand"
ut is simple enough since you have
explained it," replied Mrs. Walters.
"And you are exactly right"
xviii you oblige me by writing a
short note at my dictation? ?" Hendricks
asked. pushing chair towards the ma
chine. II would scratch il down with
pencil, but all the letters l send to my
office are carefully filed. and they look
better typewriter"
ho ol, ;r,o Il
at the Office" intcrposed Capt. Welsh;
my man will do it for you in hurry.
Surely we have no time to lose; the
mayor and the ladies will feel insecure
II we do not make a move pretty soon"
Il think myself, Mr.. Hcudricks-"
the mayor began, but the detective in
terrupted him:
"Oh, it will only take u moment. L
have an addressed envelope ready in my
pocket, and l can drop it in letter.
box as l go down. Take seat, Mrs.
Walters"
Lillian obeyed, with a curious upward
look into his face and touch of hesita
ton as she put sheet of paper be-
tween the rollers.
Dear Hasbrooke," Hendricks began
your letter received. Am engaged
on important case here. Can't come
this week. Will wire you later. Lads
ley affair must wait. Hendricks"
When Mrs. Walters had drawn the
sheet from the machine and given it to
the detective he turned to the mayor.
what did you do with your old type
writer?" he asked. as he folded the
letter and put it into an envelope and
took stamp from his watchcase.
why. I-I-think it is in the lumber
ROOM. the mayor stammered. But
how did you know had one?"
Hendricks smiled as he touched the
stamp with his tongue and placed it
carefully on the corner of the envelope.
Another easy thing. Judging from its
appearance this machine cannot have
been in use more than a month; and
Mrs. Walters writes too well to have