Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1898-02-10
She .rent to the bell and rang.


taken his own life, and then brother
confirmed my fears by telling me about
the note and how he had found him.
Ralph advised me-
The speaker paused and glanced at
her brother inquiringly.
go ahead" said Ralph. Il have
told Mr.. Hendricks about that.
"He advised me not to let it be known
that it was suicide," continued Miss
Benton. 1--WE did not want Aunt Mar
tina to think SO. l am glad it was not.
don't believe we could have kept her
deceived very long. She has predicted
a hundred times--but that has nothing
to do with what you wanted to know "
Hendricks rose.
IL am deeply indebted to all Of you, /"
he said. IF you had not explained your
conduct that night, should have been
off the track considerably, and the real
murderer could have been half round
the earth fer his health before / got to
work on the case. :"
Lampkin was watching Hendricks
attentively, wondering if he still sus.
pected Montcastle The face of the de-
tective was puzzle. At the door Hen
bricks turned to Montcastle, who had
followed him.
1.-THE maid tells me-" he said, THAT
Mr.. Allen has had serious hemor-
rhage.
"Frightfulr' replied Montcastle. II
wanted to call in physician, but he
wouldn't allow it. He fatty refused to
see one.
Would you listen to what sick
man says at such timer asked the
detective. Don't you know that man
in his condition is not the best judge of
such things? Do you want the fellow to
die on your hands?"
II tried to get his consent" STAN
mered Montcastle, "but he wouldn't
listen to it. He is frightfully upset.
my friend here, Dr. Lampkin, is
regular physician. Don't you think it
would be a good idea for him to see
Mr.. Allen at once?"
IL think so," answered Montcastle.
"I'll show you up, doctor, if you wish. "
Lampkin hesitated. Professional ETH
quette had hitherto prevented him from
appearing unsolicited at the bedside Of
= any one.
"Go up and see what ails him." said
Hendricks. pinching Lampkin's arm
significantly. "Ill wait for you outside
You may savo his life"
Lampkin followed Montcastle up
stairs, and Hendricks joined Kola and
Stanwood on the lawn. Stanwood went
into the house, leaving the two friends
together
"Well?" said Kola
"Well?" echoed the detective. He sat
down on a rustic bench under the trees,
and, with wrinkled brow, stared at the
rising moon. Kola sat down, lighted
cigar and fell into Hendricks pensive
mood. In about ten minutes Lampkin
came out. Hendricks rose.
"Well," he said as they turned to-
ward the gate, what was the matter
with Allen?"
"He is bleeding from the lungs con-
stantly." answered the doctor Looks
like a case of consumption badly neg
lected. However, could not tell any
thing definitely. He refused to let me
touch him-even to feel his pulse. He
looks to me like dying man. l have
just told Ralph Benton that he must
have medical care at once. think they
may send him to a hospital.
Hendricks made no further remark
till they were half way to the station.
Then he pulled his beard nervously and
said:
Hang 1t, can't make Allen out. If
he is really seriously i'll, do not want
to tackle him / don't want to brighten
him to death unless know more than
l do. You are sure there is no sham.
ming about the hemorrhage?"
"Sure as l am of being here" an
swered Lampkin.
Hendricks was silent till they reached
the station.
"Going i'll the smoker" he asked as
the train came up.
Lampkin and the adept nodded.
In the car Hendricks took seat at
window by himself and sat looking out
at the darkness all the way to the ferry
boat
CHAPTER XXI.
Two days later Lampkin received @