The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1899-1900, 1899-03-29
CHAPTER X.-CoNTINUED.

CHAPTER X.-CoNTIYUED.
"You have both missed beautiful
sight" resumed Mr.. Simpllins. When
our great retort opens fer the reception
of the prepared body the interior is
seen to be perfectly white, like the in
side of a snow cave, so intense is the
heat. But the inhowing air turns it 10
delicate rosiness that can't be
equaled in Italian skies. have seen
people turn away and say they recog-
nized it as the only Legitimate gateway
to the unseen universe-doing away as
1t certainly does with az horror of the
grave and decay" s..
Hendricks raised his hand.
Not quite SO fast, please" ne said
gently. "You have made mistake. |
hope / am not dangerous'y'ill. am
only confined to my room by a slight
indisposition. l may as well come to
the point. / am detective, and it is
often necessary for me to make ihqui-
ries into different businesses and"
"A detective-the devil" Mr.. Simp-
kins blurted out, and he flushed angrily
and reached for his hat. My Lordi
what do you take me for? I'm no de-
tective! l have to earn meat and bread
for my family. You are the second de-
tectiye that has tried to take up my
time for nothing. Sergeant Den-Den
something came to my house, and be-
cause l didn't give up my time and
tell him all the ins and outs OF my
business he threatened to have me up
as an accomplice in that Palace hotel
murder. My gosh! | sent him about
his business in Il jiffy. I'd like to see
any of your gang try it. We don't
cremate one. handed men for every mur-
derer in New York! It is p,ain'y con
spiracy to bring cremation into dis
repute, and if there is any law-any
protection we'll have the benefit of it"
Hold on, keep quiet, cautioned Hen
bricks, thrusting his fingers into his
vest pocket and producing $40 bill
81 don't want any mans time for moth
ing. If this will pay you for only five
minutes more OF your time | shall be
glad, and we may part friends. am
private detective, and hope don't
approach unoffending men with threats
when seek information that they have
a perfect right to withhold"
A great and humble change came over
Mr.. Simpkins as he reached for the
money.
ST. beg your pardon, sir, " he stam-
mered. This is the second time I've
been too fast. and if you'll overlook it
I'll do what l can to help You. The
other fellow had such lordly air about
him and made himself so disagree
able"
81 know him." broke in Hendricks
and then he turned to DR.. Lampkin.
"Please hand me that little card
board box on the table"
Deeply interested in what was to fol-
low, the doctor obeyed.
Taking the box, Hendricks removed
the lid and held the box TO Mr. Simp-
kins.
SIS it your opinion that those are the
ashes of human body, such as are pro-
duced from the retort Of regular Gre
matory?"
The individual addressed took the box
to a window and looked at the contents
closely. He had the air of a man who
was enjoying himself.
Got a magnifying glass?" he asked,
shaking the ashes about.
Hendricks produced his, and Lampkin
took it to the speaker.
There was silence while Mr.. Simp-
kins was focusing the lens on the
ashes. Then he came away from the
window, closing the magnifying glass.
'In my opinion they are not from the
retort of n crematory," be said, though
to be honest / would not take oath on
it,"
"Why are you not positive?' asked
the detective.
Mr.. Simpkins' brows ran together.
He smacked his lips and raised himself
on his toes in pure enjoyment of his
well-paid Importance.
because my experienced eye detects
traces of the ashes of clothing here.
In well-run crematories such residue is
always famed away from the pure
white or grayish ashes of bone which is
deposited in urns for preservation. But
rs the ashes Of cloth may, by accident,
have fallen back into the bone-ash, l
can't be positive"
"Ah. ! see!7 said Hendricks. rs
there any way by which one could dis
tingiush between the ashes from New
York creinatory or one in any other
city?-
None that / know Of, sir"
"Weli. that Is all, and | thank you.
Mr.. simpkins. said the detective, lean
lfa. hack ID his chair.
~ lp bad taken his depart