The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1898-05-05
,ey on a matter Of business. Does he

=
live here?"
"Thats my name, sir" said the boy,
timidly.
perhaps IL is your fathers also" sug-
gested Hendricks, in o reassuring tone.
"My father is dead" replied the boy.
"His name was stephen II. Champney."
"Then you are the only Frederick
Champney in the family
Yes, sir" The boy spoke slowly,
and then ended with start His glance
wavered under the sharp gaze of the de-
tcctive, whose face had undergone a
remarkable change. When Hendricks
spoke, his voice sounded TO DR.. Lamp
kin strangely harsh and firm;
81 received letter from this street
and number. 1t was signed Frederick
Champney. Did you write itP'
The boy suddenly fell to trembling,
and his face worked in an effort TO con
troll himself, but he hung his head in
silence. Hendricks repeated mis- ques-
ton. but still the boy would not reply.
He looked towards the nall, as If he
wished to escape.
Seeing this, Hendricks stepped he
tween him aud the door.
~ may as well be plain with you, my
boy" he said 81 am detective, legal
ly authorized to arrest anyone sus-
pected of breaking. A letter of
very grave importance has been written
over your name. If you know anything
about il, and wont tell me, | shall be
compelled to arrest you on suspicion"
The boy stared into Hendricks face
for an instant in abject terror; then he
burst into tears. lie darted towards
the door. but the detective caught his
arm, and drew him, struggling, back
into the room.
Mammal mammal" shrieked the
boy with all his strength, and he rolled
on the floor in Hendricks clutch and
beat the legs of his captor with his
fists. just then white-faced, middle
aged woman ran into the room from
the rear stairs, followed by the maid
who had admitted them. On seeing
her, and being released by the detective,
the boy ceased his cries ran to his
mother and hid his face in her lap. She
could only stare at the two visitors in
speechless amazement.
Hendricks bowed very low and stam-
mered out an explanation.
II am a detective" he said. "A very
important letter has been written under
the address of this house and over the
name of Frederick Champney. l can't
think this little fellow could be guilty
of any misdemeanor, you know, madam,
but from his actions it. is plain to me
that he knows something about the mat
ter. He started to run away, and | had
to hold him.
"Fredl" The woman almost gasped
as she forced the white face of the boy
towards her own. Erred, do you know
anything of what this man is talking
about?"
The boy darted towards her lap again,
but she held him firmly in front of her
and shook him fierceiy.
Speak, say! What is the matter
with you? If you have been up to any
devilment-"
81 didn't write it, mamma" the boy
whimpered.
"Well, who did? What do you know
about it? Speak, ] tell you, or I'll
thrash you within an inch of your
life"
Don't be hard on him." Hendricks
interposed. II think / understand.
He will tell us all about it. That is the
best way"
The boy dried his eyes, and took his
head out of his mothers apron. For a
moment there was deep silence as Ne
stood hesitatingly before her.
''Uncle Tom," faltered the boy. HE
did it. promised him not to tell soul
mot even you; and wouldn't, but you
made me-"
"Ah, ! see," said the woman, angrily.
and her gray eyes flashed as she turned
to Hendricks. 1T is some of my broth
er's mischief; but | will not have him
mixing my innocent children up in his
miserable affairs. 1t is shameful, the
way he has been actiDg!"
He asked me TO let him use my
name," said the boy, who had grown
calmer. ''He told me it wasn't anything
but a joke on a friend of his--a woman
who thought she was writing 10 a man
she never saw. / took the answers to
Uncle Tom"
Outrageous" cried the woman. 81
am ashamed OF my own name when one
who bears it can do such things"
Where is be ?" asked Hendricks. with
sudden craftiness of look and manner
1T is only a trifing matter, that can
easily be settled, but I'd like to see him."
Hes upstairs, asleep, now the
woman replied, still angrily Hes
sleeping off one of his all-night prowls
around town. / have been willing tc
give him a bed and board here when he
is with us, in spite OF his being a regular
disgrace TO us all with his queer no.
tons. Sarah" she broke off suddenly
seeing that Hendricks had moved near
er the door and signaled TO DR.. Lamp
kin, run up and tell him to come down
here, and to be quick about it. want
an explanation of his conduct, and II
have 1t now'
tTo BE Continued