Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1898-01-27
THURMONT Frederick County, Maryland Thursday January H. 1898.
ByMLL N.HARB BEN.
AUTHOR OF.

In . little alcove adjoining the room
and looking into it. "Got match, doo-
tori It's dark here"
Lampkin struck one and gave 1t to
him. Hendricks held it in the basin and
carefully examined the porcelain sur
face. Suddenly he raised himself.
'Never saw his beat, he said. "The
young rascal has absolutely washed the
remains Of burned paper into the city
sewer. He is now laughing in his sleeve
at my maneuvering to get possession OF
that blank envelope That's the second
time he has done me. I'll keep the
count"
II don't quite like bis looks. J." re-
marked the doctor. 1T seems to me he
10 trying to cover up something"
Hendricks said nothing, but taking
the charred envelope from the desk he.
laid 1t exactly on the spot where it had
blown from Ralph's hand.
"What's that for7" asked Lampkiu.
ut can't aid me to keep it, and when
he comes back here and finds it still
there he will be thrown off the track.
Now we must take peep at the
young fellows belongings don't
think he was undressed last night
that ia, am pretty sure he did not
take of his shirt and necktie."
"Why7"
because q young man Of bis taste
would never wear q black dress bow,
such a. he has ON now. with business
suit Of clothes"
"You think, then, that he was in
evening dress last night" asked Dr..
Lampkin.
Hendricks opened a closet. "See all
those coats neatly hung on coat stretch
ers back there9" he asked.
Lampkin nodded.
"That shows the young man Ia order
ly by habit" went on the detective.
"Well, here hangs his evening suit. It
has simply been jerked on to the hook.
You know q man is more particular
about his evening suit than any other.
There is little doubt that Ralph Benton
took of these garments In rush last
night" Hendricks carried the coat.
vest and trousers to one Of the windows
and examined them closely in the light.
Lampkin saw him holding up first one
article and then another. with per-
plexed look ON his face"
What's upy" asked the doctor, ap-
preaching him.
II can't account for the presence Of
these fragments of tow" answered
Hendricks. II find them on the lapels
Of the coat, on the front part Of the vest
and absolutely. rubbed into the cloth on
the inside of the trousers;sss. Jeer.- be
exclaimed. "Ths silk has been worn
of one Of the vest buttons.
"That's strange, said Lampkin.
II should think so," answered Hem
bricks "How in thunder could man
get . suit Of clothes in exactly that
coudition?''
Might have been drunk. " suggested
the doctor.
THAT would not account for direct
line Of tow fragments from bis ankles
to his neck" said Hendricks. IF it
were covered all over, it would be diff
ferent, butt Hendricks turned and
hung up the garments as he had found
them. Its chaos, my friend" he
said. Never was . matter in a more
nebulous condition. First it's Miss
Benton, then Montcastle, then Ralph,
them
"Mer" jested Lampkin, seeing that
Hendricks bad stopped for lack Of
words.
Eyes you, blast your ugly pictured"
retorted the detective, with q merry
laugh. "You did it In your sleep after
swimming the river In your nightshirt.
holding your revolver over your head to
keep it dry. Then you swan back, got
into bed, and walked you"
"You never play the clown except
when you are thwarted, and you rarely