The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1899-1900, 1899-03-22
CHAPTER yITI.

I'D OhAI len Nlll'
The next morning on arriving at his
Office after having been unavoidably de-
tanned uptown for an hour, DR.. Lampkin
found messenger-boy awaiting him.
''Are you DR.. Lampkin?" asked the
boy, retaining the envelope for when
the doctor had extended his hand.
81 am" answered Lampkin, impa-
tiently. "Why do you doubt it?"
Il had orders at the office to deliver
the message only TO DR.. Lampkin," re-
piled the boy. "They told me it was
very urgent, but l had to wait here.
was afraid I'd miss you if went up to
your house."
"Quite right" said the doctor, and
ne opened the letter, which bore the lit
tie yellow seal, peculiar to the impor-
tant communications sometimes sent
him by Hendricks.
-sCome without a moments delay-let
nothing hinder you-to my house" ran
the message. "Bring instruments to
probe for bullet. Come in at the rear.
NV mother will be on the lookout to
admit you, Don't attract attention.
Explanation when l see you. Hen
bricks"
sNo answer" said Lampkin to the
boy. He quickly got the required in
struments together and put on his hat
and overcoat.
s'No telling what has happened, and
I'm behind tiine," be grumbled in
,wardly. "For aught ] know Hendricks
may have shot the wrong man and be
in frightful muddle."
Fifteen minutes later the doctor was
entering the side gate behind Hen
dricks' house, after having successful
Iy lodged unobserved into an alley
leading from the main thoroughfare.
BE was vending his way through col
lection OF ash7receivers, garbage-bar-
rels, and bundles of waste-paper, when
hexaw Mrs. Hendricks'white head ap-
pehr at the kitchen door.
'--sl"Oh. I'm so glad you got here at
Iastl' she exclaimed. 81 have been al
most crazy with impatience. He
wouldn't listen to anyone else being
called in, and am afraid he is serious
ly hurt" .t
what has happened?" inquired
Lampkin, excited in spite of his profes
SSional chlmness by her manner. E
"0h. everythingl" exclaimed the ngi
Ftated woman as she hurried hin
2through the dining-room, sitting-roon
land library to the stairs in the front
hall. "For the love of God, Dr. Lamp
Ekin--you are his best friend-do urge
him to give up this perilous existence
NThe worry Of II is slowly killing me
z You see, was with him when he so mar
rowly escaped from that awful bomb
and now this is the second attempt or
his life, and know they will succeed
sooner or later, II they have not actual
Ely killed him now"
snass How was he burt z" gasped Lamp
idn, as he sprang after herup the stairs
She made no reply. The next mo
ment She reached the door of the de-
4ective's room, and opened it.
Hendricks, white as a ghost, and with
dark marks under the eyes, satin a big
extension chair. in his dressing-gown
rug over his legs and feet. ti
ts s:Don't let my mother fi'ighten you
old man." he said, with smile, which
be gave with evident pain. "You know
how women are about a thimbleful Of
blood"
"What on earth has happened p
2 asked Lamplsin.
Y sThat secret enemy of mine is on tbs
warpath again." explained the detec
tive. affecting a light tone. 81 am wait
ing for you to ascertain the extent ot
= the damage he has wrought"
"You surely haven't been going with
out medical attention all this time, sim
ply because You sent for me?" asked
The doctor. ''Great goodness!"
IL begged and begged him on my
Knees walled Mrs. Hendricks, "bu
he wouldn't listen to me, and insisted
on bandaging the wound himself"
"I did not want II to get out" ex
plnined Hendricks. "Right now +
sxouldn't have It known that was at
tackled for anything. You see knew
you couldsbe trusted fs
Lambkihs face stiffened with dis
pleasure.
''Let me make an examination" hi
said, in a tone that told plainly that HI
did not intend to lose any more time.
ssHere it is. in the left side, y said Hen
bricks. 1T can't be bad, for ! stood VI
Just now to look out of the window.
ean,f locate the blasted lead. though"
Il should think not" grunted Lamp
kin. as he removed the bandage.
After a moment he exclaimed:
THANK heaven. you are all right
Nothing fatal. Il you'll take good carC
of yourself. The ball went in at th'
side. glanced on one OF your ribs ant
5 Iodged agains, the breastbone. car
rsm0re itin moment
Five minutes later the operation haC
Been successfully performed and Hen
bricks. freshly bandaged, was recliuipg
easily IN his chair.
"Now. you get some sleep and re-
main quiet said The doctor. mixing
some medlcipc NJ the window.
gRubbIsh mnt@red the detective
sIlo Sou me|.h thar ! am 70 stay penned
p tsssail cav fo-dqysg