The Holly chieftain., 1898-04-01

"a
go into the house out of the SUM-"
As they started to the house Hen
bricks dropped back with Fred Wal
ters and his wife, but she went forward
and joined her mother. When they
were in the hall Hendricks said:
'WheIe is your study, Mr.. Roundtree?
This room on the right?"
Yes" replied the mayor.
well, let's go in there a moment.
Ah!" ne exclaimed. in tone of satis-
faction, as they entered the room. you
have typewriter. 1t Is just what
want; must write letter at once
to my assistant in New York, TO tell
him that am detained here. But
can't use this make of machine Who
uses it, Mr.. Roundtree? All. see Mrs.
Walters does"
They all looked at Hendricks in won-
der.
"Pray. how did you guess that Pr
asked Mrs. Walters, cold smile on her
face.
"One of the tricks Of my calling" was
the reply. ITS easy. I noticed that
the nails of your two index fingers are
worn down roughly, SO know that you
not only write ON the machine, but you
do 1t slowly, for you employ only those
two fingers. Experienced writer's use
all the fingers of the hand"
ut is simple enough since you have
explained it." replied Mrs. Walters.
f"And you are exactly right"
"Will you oblige me by writing q
short note at my dictstion ?" Hendricks
asked, pushing chair towards the ma
chine. II would scratch it down with
q pencil, but all the letters send 20 my
Office are carefully filed, and they look
better typewriter"
II have machine and stenographer
at the Office" interposed Capt. Welsh;
my man will do it for you in a hurry.
Surely we have no time to lose; the
mayor and the ladies will feel insecure
If we do not make move pretty soon"
II think myself, Mr.. Hendricks
the mayor began, hut the detective in
terrupted him:
"Oh, 1t will only take moment.
have an addressed envelope ready in my
pocket, and l CAN drop it in p letter
box as / go down. Take seat, Mrs.
Walters"
). Lillian obeycd. with q curious upward
look into his face and . touch of hesita-
ton ns she put sheet Of paper be-
tween the rollers.
Dear Hasbrooke," Hendricks began
-''Your letter received. Am engaged
On important case here. Can't come
This week. viii wire you later. Lads-
ey affair must wait. Hcndricks.''
When Mrs. Walters had drawn the
sheet from the machine and given It to
The detective he turned to the mayor.
"What did You do with your old type
writer?" he asked, as he folded the
letter and put it into an envelope and
took stamp from his watchcase.
why, I-I-think it is in the lumber
room," the mayor stammered. But
how did you know had one?"
Hendricks smiled as he touched the
stamp with his tongue and placed It
carefully on the corner of the envelope.
Another easy thing. Judging from its
appearancc this machine cannot have
been In use more than . month; and
Mrs. Walters writes too well to have
learned within that time. / did not
;hink It likely that she had practiced
out OF the house. She looks like stay
at-home little body"
How very simpleI" the mayor ex-
claimed. III only your keen sight will
help us solve this mystery, we shall be
all grateful"
Mrs. Roundtree seemed displeased
with the delay.
Aren't you going to do something
towards protecting our house, cap
tain?" she asked, turning to Welsh.
Some one has attempted the life of my
child. I shall go mad II something is
not done at once"
Capt. Welsh looked embarrassed.
"The case is really in Mr.. Hendricks
hands," he said awkwardly. ut is SO
hard to get his services, owing to his
wide reputation and the demands on his
time, that he il usually granted unlim-
tied authority and" He stopped for
lack Of words.
"There il no reason why you mny not
place guard round the house highland
day, captain" said Hendricks, frOwn-
ing slightly at Welsh's compliment. @If
It nliays the fears Of the ladies it will
,erve good purpose"
''Thank you." said Mrs. Roundtrec,
coldly.
where IL your telephone. mayor?v
asked Welsh.
''In the library across the hall. Show
Il to him, Lillian" said the mayor.
When Mrs. Roundtree heard the tele-
phons bell ring she went into the H.
brary to hear Welsh give his orders, and
Fred Walters followed her, leaving the
mayor and Hendricks together.
"Whlle they are in there. / should be
glad to get look at the grounds from
. back window upstairs, II you will
show me up" said the detective.
Certainly, with pleasure,' = the mayor
replied. 'yEhis way And he led Hem
dricks up the rear steps 70 the floor
sbove. ~There u window In this
sssvant's ROOM" he went on. pushing
Door open, shut It Ioolfs out on the side
faftSr thaz6 ths back. The Old lunaber
room y IN The rear; but yon1l sst Ill
over dust Il you 70 there
10 mGttsrs itfwonst 1hurt me- M. n.
Wien tkey had opened the door II
lhc sl4mbes- rgm ma wefe tnnljrS
thsir way thf0hsh dusty piles n f'oIa'
furyitpve. csSrets, rugs. eieturrs and
l5rpk4a gsHsfy, Hendticks smiled md
sotnted r. x 4 srttef cn : table near
~ ytntaow. - knw seil ! gae