The Delta independent., 1898-03-11

~ Zy
"Oh, I beg pGrdonr' she said, starting to
uithdral0.
nothing beyond yum yum sentiment.
but these are heavy walking boots with
broad heels and thick soles."
''Miss Benton's bootsf Impossibler
cried Lampkin.
"Yes; she packed, toe" went on the
detective. his eyes beaming with the
excitement Of the chase. ''She found
nfter she had got her bag or trunk filled
that she had left out very necessary
article, and he chucked 'em in with his I"
Marvellous = simply marvelous"
cried the doctor.
Hendricks closed the bag with jerk,
and as he rolled it on its side and put
is knee upon it to draw the straps into
'nre he looked about the room.
'Gi'me that newspaper behind the
bed," he grunted as he tugged at the
last strap to fasten buckle.
DR.. Lampkin picked up the paper,
and Hendricks took it and spread it out
on the bed.
"What did ! tell your" he said.
"There's the Jagged hole left by the
clipping. And. see, the paper is dated
yesterday afternoon. Pretty good find
for one room. Now for Miss Benton's.
"They are all in there" said the
doctor. "At least they were when We
passed Just now."
II heard them all leave . moment
ago." Hendricks told him. II think
they went into the drawing room to
take look at the corpse. It is arranged
BY this time. The undertaken and his
men passed the window just now. We
shan't find much in Miss Benton's
room, however, for, Judging by her
looks, she has her share of caution, and
she has had time. having been in her
room since the inquest. to cover mp
traces.
Hendricks led his friend from the
room. The door of Miss Benton's apart
ment was locked, but tho detective
opened it with one Of the keys in the
cham bermaid's bunch. When he and
Lampkin were inside. he closed and
bolted the door
"Bed's been tumbled pretty we'll, I"
he remarked, "but l don't think Miss
Benton slept much on it last night. I
or bag. She had to take something, and
trunk was out of the question.
Hendricks opened the door of a closet.
''AhP' he exclaimed. "There you
are, doctor. There is bag almost as
large as Montcastle's up on that shelf
by the bandbox. She packed it, then
unpacked it and took the trouble to re-
place it up there. !"
''Are you sure2' asked tho doctor
"Dead sure"
DR.. Lampkin looked incredulous.
II don't quite catch your he be-
gan.
Hendricks pointed at white under
skirt and nightdress hanging from one
Of the hooks.
"Tbose things have never been
worn," ne said.
"Well, what il they haven't?'
1.-THE creases in 'em show that they
have been folded TO fit the bag. The
wrinkles indicate that they have been
compressed considerably"
"Ahp
Don't simply say Abr if you want
to talk, said the detective, initiating
his friends tone. 1T sounds like ap-
plause from the gallery It's loud, but
it means nothing"
I'm doing my best" was Lamp
kin's rejoinder
Yesterday or last night" pursued
Hendricks, "she took the bag down
from the shelf, wiped it and packed it.
There is the mixture of cobwebs, lint
and dust that was on it." Hendricks
picked up a soiled towel and exhibited
1t to his companion. Then be reached
up and took the empty bag from the
shelf "See how free from dust il is, -
he ran on, with a merry ohuckle IN
bet you q dinner that the bandbox next
70 il is covered with dust"
"I'll go you," returned Lampkin,
though know you will win"
Hendricks sneezed as he drew the
box from theOhelf
"Che-hooi There is enough dust TO
61l the eyes of all the detectives in
America, and her ladyship did not util-
tze it except as an eye opener. She is
sharp and cautioos, but not enough SO
TO hide her novementA"
do yoa think she is concerned in
the murder" asked Lampkin.
Never formed q positive opinion 80
early in game in my life. was the
answer. IF did, I'd follow my opin-
ions nose into trouble. 1t is because
IN. continually drowuir- that ! am