Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1898-01-20
CHAPTER VII.

stupidr' laughed the doctor. "Have
you forgotten already?"
ooh, I rememberl johnson was to
bring Nebo. Did you get something to
eat?"
eyes. But what IS the NATTER" asked
the doctor.
Hendricks tapped his forehead with
the tips Of his fingers.
"To let," he said. II shall put ont
sign at once. 1t doesn t contain single
idea. My brain is a mud puddle upon
the surface of which nothing floats. y
"Why, I thought you were getting
along finely" replied Lampkin.
Hendricks walked to the window,
gazed out on the lawn for minute,
then whirled round suddenly and re-
turned to his companion.
II say, old man," said he, II sent
you away at exactly the wrong time. "
"Why, what's happened!"
Hendricks foiled the question with
another.
What is man like when he swoons?"
II don't understand. What do you
mean?" asked the doctor.
Hendricks shrugged his shoulders i'm
patiently.
"It's your business to understand
You are doctor. What did you study
medicine for? I mean what would a
man look likep How would he fall
DOWN. What color would he be?"
"Ah, seel' said Lampkin thought
fully. "I"-
"No. you don't see Answer my
question.
"How can tell how he would fall?"
said Lampkin spiritedly Different
men would fall different ways. A heavy
man would 60 down like a tub of sau-
sage meat, while thin man might top
pie over like billiard cue knocked
from a players hand. AS to the color
Of his face, it would be-let me see
about the color of channels skin,
and"-
''Thunder!" calculated the detective
you mean flushed. "
Il mean as white as that Of dead
mans and cold and clammy, with beads
of perspiration standing on it. A"
Hendricks swore softly.
"You told me not ten days ago that
there was nothing for me to learn. and
yet Just now l was breaking my neck
to get water for swooning man with
face as red az beet. I'm an ass. "
who swooned?"
Nobody, d-n it, according to your
own diagnosis Ralph Benton, however.
did capital piece of acting. He kceled
over beautifully just before his name
was called as witness.
And didn't testify"
"No; | didn't care for his estimCDy,
though"
"Wcll, then, what's the mattcr?"
matter? Do you suppose | want to
bo hopping like mad after water before
all those people to give water to a
young ass who is playing off on me?''
What are you going to do about it!''
Get even with him before this thing
is done with, Let's 60 into the hall
We are losing time. "
The library door opened, and Miss
Hastings looked in.
"Oh, beg pardon!' she said, start
ing to withdraw.
IT'S all right. :" said Hendricks.
quickly stepping toward her I'VE were
just going out, How is MIR Benton?"
"He is better" replied Miss Has
tings. "Ele is in his sisters room, sit
ting up"
"We were just starting to look around
the house Bit" said Hendricks.
"Would you mind telling us which is
your room and the one formerly occu-
pied by Mr.. Jacob Benton?"
mine Is at the head of the front
stairs Oh the right as you 80 up" re-
piled Miss Hastings. "Mr. Benton's
was next to it, between my room and
his laboratory"
"Thauk you. And Miss Benton's
room isl
son this floor, back of the sitting
room, after you cross the narrow pas
sage"
"Mr. Montcastle's is opposite hers
believe" went on Hendricks
"Yes."
"Mr. Ralph Benton rooms up stairs.
presume.
Eyes, across the hall from his IA
theirs apartment.
'Thank you" said Hendricks, with
pleasant smile and bow. "We want
to look the premises over and shall be-
gin at the bottom. "Come on, doctor"
The detective led Lampkin from the
library and down long hall into which
several doors opened. As they were
passing Miss Benton's room they heard
voices within.
"Montcastle is there" whispered
Hendricks over his shoulder, land
while they are OBTAINING him want to
peep into his chamber"
The next minute he laid his hand on
the knob of Montcastle's door 1t was
locked. The detective smiled broadly as
he took heavy bunch of keys from his
pocket and began to try them in the
lock.
'Swiped EN- from Jane during the
inquest" he laughed "She had en-
tied to her waist with a string. l
shipped it with my penknife Saw her
just now searching for them OH the
front lawn. All, here we arel" Hen
bricks pushed the door open, and when
they had entered he closed and bolted it.
Don t want anybody plunging in on
Us" he explained as his eyes began to
rove about the apartment "Ah" he
cried, pointing to good sized travelling
bag in corner Remember what l
told you about the 80 train and the
cab tracks i'll the rear and in the front?"
II remember, replied the doctor.
Hendricks raised the bag from the
floor to lounge. g.. !