The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1898-03-31
From Clue to Climax.
tcOp,rish, 1896. BY J. B. lIppineou Co.,
CHAPTER vIrr.-coNrryurp.
BY WILL N. HaRBts.

The detective picked up the water
Ing pot and empted about 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 81 sup
pose was sabsent-minded yesterday"
$50 you have not used it to-day %
"No, sir"
"Well, that's ALL" said Hendricks.
turning to the mayor. 1T is a very per
picking case indeed"
''Shall / telephone my men?" asked
Capt. Welsh. Don't you think we
ought to take some steps TO catch the
fellow?"
Not yet" replied Hendricks; and.
walking by Welsh, he nudged him
sharply with his elbow. "But we can
20 into the house out of the sun"
AS they started to the house Hen
bricks dropped back with Fred Wal
ters and his wife. hut she went forward
and joined her mother. When they
were in the hall Hendricks said:
where is your study, Mr.. Roundtree? Z?
IhiS room on the right?
''Yes," replied the mayor.
well, let's go in there moment.
Ali" he exclaimed, in tone of salts
faction, as they entered the room, "you
have n typewriter. 1t is just what !
want; | must write n 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 i'm won
der.
pray, how did you guess that?"
asked Mrs. Walters. a cold smile on her
face.
"One of the tricks of my calling. was
the reply. ITS easy. | noticed that
the nails of your swo 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"
1T is simple enough since you have
explained it, replied Mrs. Walters
"Will you obige me by writing a
short note at my dictation?'' Hendricks
asked, pushing chair towards the ma
chine. 81 would scratch il down with
pencil, but all the letters send to my
office are carefully filed, and they look
better typewriter"
II have u machine and "A stenographer
at the Office" interposed Capt. Welsh;
my man will do 1t for you in a hurry.
Surely we have no time to lose; the
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 moment. /
have an addressed envelope ready in my
pocket, and i can drop it il a letter
box as / go do' n. Take u seat. Mrs.
Walters"
Lillian obeyed, with a curious upward
look into his face and n touch of hesita-
ton as she put a 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. VIII wire you later. Lads
lev 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 a stamp from his watchcase.
"Why, I--I-think it is in the lumber
ROOM" the mayor stammered. but
how did you know l 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
learned within that time. / did not
think it likely that she had practiced
out OF the house. She looks like stay
at-home little body"
How very simple." the mayor ex-
claimed. IF only your keen sight will
help us solve this mystery, we shall be
all grateful"
: Mrs. Roundtree seemed displeased
with the delay.
Aren't you going to do something
towards protecting our house, cap
tain?" she asked, turning 10 Welsh.
Some one has attempted the life of my
child. | shall go mad if something is
not done at once"
Capt Welsh looked embarrassed.
"The case is really in Mr. Hendricks
hands," he said awkwardly. 1T is so
hard to get his services, owing to his
wide reputation and the demands on his
time, that he is usually granted unlim-
tied authority and" He stopped for
lack of words.
There is no reason why you may not
place guard round the house night and
day, captain" said Hendricks, frown-
ing slightly at Welsh's compliment. III
il allays the fears of the ladies it will
serve good purpose"
Thank you,' said Mrs. Roundtree,
coldly
Where is your telephone, mayorg'
asked Welsh.
''In the library across the hall. Show
il to him. Lilan," said the mayor.
When Mrs. Roundtree heard the tele-
phone bell ring she went into the IL
brary to hear Welsh give his orders, and