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

"Oh, | beg pardon" she said. starting to
utthdraW.
nothing beyond yum yum sentiment.
but these are heavy walking boots with
broad heels and thick soles.
Miss Bcnton's boots! impossible"
cried Lampkin.
Eyes; she packed, toe, went on the
detective, his eyes beaming with the
excitement Of the chase ''She found
after she had got her bag or trunk filled
that she had left out a very necessary
article, and he chucked 'em in with his. "
Marvellous - simply marvelous!
cried the doctor.
Hendricks closed the bag with jerk,
and as he rolled it on its side and put
his knee upon it to draw the straps into
place he looked about the room.
"Gi'me that newspaper behind the
bed" he grunted as he tugged at the
last strap to fasten a buckle.
Dr. Lampkin picked up the paper,
and Hendricks took it and spread 1t out
on the bed.
"What did l 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 ono room. Now for Miss Benton's."
"They are all in there" said the
doctor. "At least they were when we
passed just now"
IL heard them all leave a moment
ago." Hendricks told him. II think
they went into the drawing room to
take look at the corpse. 1t 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 IN
traces.
Hendricks led bis friend from the
room. The door Of Miss Benton's apart
ment was locked, but the detective
opened it with one Of the keys in the
chambermaid' bunch. When he and
Lampkin were inside, he closed and
bolted the door.
Beds been tumbled pretty WE'LL"
he remarked, but l don't think Miss
Benton slept much ON it last night. I
wonder what she did with her satchel
or bag. She had to take something, and
trunk was out of the question.
Hendricks opened the door Of closet.
"Ahl" 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 1t and took the trouble to re-
place 1t up there"
"Are you sureT' asked the 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.
"Those things have never been
worm" he said.
"Well, what if 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.
"Ah!"
"Don't simply say 'Ahr If you want
to talk, said the detective, initiating
his friends tone 1T sounds like ap-
plause from the gallery. It's loud. but
1t 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 1t and packed it.
There Is the mixture Of oobwebs, lint
and dust that was on it." Hendricks
picked up soiled towel and exhibited
it to his companion. Then he reached
up and took the empty bag from the
shelf. "See how free from dust it is,"
he ran on, with merry ohuckle "I'Il
bet you dinner that the bandbox next
to it is covered with dust. "