Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-03-31

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.
us it your opinion that those are the
ashes of human body. such as are pro-
duced from the retort OF q regular Gre
matory?"
The individual addressed took the box
tc window and looked at the contents
closely. He had the air Of man who
was enjoying himself.
SCOT q magnifying giass?" he asked,
shaking the ashes about.
Hendricks produced his. and Lampl1in
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 a crematory." he said. though
to be honest I 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 theaoashes 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
as the ashes of cloth may, by accident.
| have fallen back into the bone-ash,
can't be positive"
''Ah, I see!" said Hendricks. 'Is
there any way by which one could dis
| tingiush between the ashes from New
| York crematory or one in any other
city?"
"None that I know of. SIR
"Well, that is ALL and 1 thank you.
Mr.. Simpkins," said the detective, lean
| ing back in his chaiy.
| When the man had taken his depart
ure Lampkin asked:
| Gould the murderer have had the
body cremated in another city?'
easier than here, and he had ample
! time" said Hendricks in the tone of a
man in deep and perplexed thought.
| ''He might have had a little trouble in
Shipping the body. but to get the ashes
back here would be avery simple thing.
| would not be surprised at any develop
ment in this affair. There is one point
that hobs up here which is so puzzlin g
| that it almost drives me insane"
| What is that?" asked the doctor.
ssIt is this" answered the detective.
You see, Caruthers had been out of the
| city-or rather was believed to have left
New York ten days before 1 got my
anonymous note telling me where ]
could find his remains. Now, if the
writer believed that l would get the
communication without delay the ashes
were in Caruthers' apartments a week
before I got back from Boston"
| ''Of course" said Lampl1in, in the au-
tomato tone of one who speaks before
| deliberation. Then he calculated with
force: "Oh, yes, certainly"
| But" said Hendricks. with strong
emphasis on the word, eff the hell
| scorched demon has had free access to
| my office, rs 1 think be has had to my
! 6ining-room, then he could have seen
the communication which he had
| mailed me lying on my desk during my
| absence. 1t may really have been part
of his plan to have mailed that letter,
knowing I wouldn't get it at once"
"But for what reason?" asked the
| doctor.
ITO throw me off the track as to
| time said Hendricks. 81 said the
other day that this would prove the
chief crime of all my experience. am
now afraid that it may actually be my
| Waterloo 1 have never dealt with
such wonderful tact and boldness com
bind. The chief reason for my bel;ev-
ing that he was on to my move ments is
that Gieiow did not leave until the night
l discovered the ashes"