The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1898-01-21

ple was coming in and going out when
Hendricks nudged his friend in the side
and looked mp toward the front stair
case. Ralph Benton was ascending
sliding his hand on the railing.
"Going TO his room, said Hendricks
I'm a whisper. "He has heard OF our be-
ing in his sisters apartment. We must
keep a peeled eye on him. L haven
liked his looks since he swooned on me
so beautifully. He's got his sister s DIS
position 10 cover up tracks, aud il am
rot mistaken he is the more expert OK
the two. Well loiter here a minute.
lyon were searching for powder
marks on Miss Benton's wrist just
now" remarked Lampkin, with tone
of conviction, as the detective paused
and leaned against the wall.
Exactly. wasn't trying to make
mash, you may bet your hat on that.
"How did you know she hadn't wash
ed her hands!"
~ didn't think she had. People
never do under great excitement There
was no water in her jug on the wash
stand or any in the slop jar Besides,
powder stains blown in the skin are
hard to oblterate.
Ibid you find them?"
"No."
"Then she is innocent of the actual
crime.
IF she didn't wear gloves when she
pulled the trigger" interrupted Hen
bricks, with little laugh. Come on;
times up. We must surprise that fell
low in his room.
Hendricks bounded up the thickly
carpeted stairs, taking four steps at
stride Pausing at Ralph Benton's door,
he grasped the knob firmly and turned
it without making sound. Then he
pressed against the door steadily.
Locked" he grunted. The word
had scarcely left his lips when his
shoulder came against the door with
the force of battering ram. The frail
fastenings gave way, and Hendricks al
most fell into the room.
Ralph was standing in corner,
holding an envelope over low turned
gas jet.
Il beg pardonl" exclaimed Hen
bricks. IAN accident, assure you. My
foot slipped, and l tumbled against
your door I'm devilish awkward.
Hope / haven't done much damage"
Its all right, stammered the young
man. AS he spoke the burning envelope
went out, and the crisp black remains
were blown across the room. II was
just trying to clean up some old rub.
bish in my desk. suppose you want to
look about here ! really have no objec-
tion-anything that will help you get
at the facts. OF course the whole place
is at your disposal.
"Thank you, said Hendricks, step.
ping between him and the ashes of the
envelope. my friend and myself would
like to use your desk. see materials
for writing are here-that is, if it is no
intrusion.
Ralph shrugged his shoulders
lyon ara quite welcome" he re
turned, with defiant, logged express
sion.
Hendricks sat down at the desk,
picked up pen and dipped it into the
ink well. "Now, DOCTOR" he began,
Thompson said he would take 81, 600
for the corner lot, but would not give
me later than tomorrow to decide. How,
/ intend to offer HIM
Hendricks paused and glanced up at
Ralph. II beg your pardon, Mr.. Ben
ton, hut this is--er-a little private deal
we were about to make, and if you had
just as soon
"Oh, I'm going" exclaimed Ralph,
a smile and sheer blending on his
handsome face. II am really sorry if l
have intruded on you"
Hendricks seemed to enjoy the situa.
ton.
"Call again, Mr.. Benton," he
laughed. "Sorry VIC are busy today"
Il like your che y" remarked DR..
Lampkin when tho young man had left
the room.
"Shr' The smile had left Hendricks
face. 1t was tense and serious He rose
softly, tiptoed to the door, opened it
slightly and looked out.
Cant be too cautious, he remarked
as he leaned chair against the door to
keep it closed. Eyes, | admire my
cheek" he went on as he came back
to the doctor, "but / like his more. |
tell you he's corker.
II dropped on to your ruse to get
him out of the room," said Lampkin.
II knew of no Thompson or any corner
lot"