Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-11-20
CHAPTER VIII.

i oAo A<<AAA PNsh H%o Jeoe ~
the presence Of the two young ladies
and were going toward the drawing
room, where constant stream Of peo-
pie was coming in and going out when
Hendricks nudged his friend in the side
and looked up toward the front stair
case. Ralph Benton was ascending,
sliding his hand ON the railing.
Going TO his room, said Hendricks
in a whisper. "He has heard Of our be.
ing in his sisters apartment We must
keep a peeled eye ON him. haven't
liked his looks since be swooned ON me
so beautifully. He's got his sisters dis.
position to cover up tracks, and II am
not mistaken he is the more expert Of
the two Well loiter here minute.
lyon were searching for powder
marks on Miss Benton wrist Just
now, remarked Lampkin, with q tone
Of conviction. as the detective paused
and leaned against the wall
Exactly. wasn't trying 70 make q
mash. you may bet your hat on that. F"
How did you know she hsdn' wash
ed her hands;''
II didn't think abe had. People
never do under great excitement There
was no water in her jug on the wash-
stand or any in the slop jar Besides.
powder stains blown in the skin are
hard TO oblite-ate.
"Did you find thesn'"
MOI
"Then she il innocent OF the actual
crime"
II she didn't wear gloves when she
pulled the trigger" interrupted Hen
drioks. with little laugh. Come on;
times up We must surprise that fel.
low in his room"
Hendricks bounded up the thickly
carpeted stairs, taking four steps at a
stride. Pausing at Ralph Benton's door.
be grasped the knob firmly and turned
it without making q sound. Then he
pressed against the door steadily.
Locked" he grunted. The word
had scarcely left his lips when his
shoulder came against the door with
the force Of a battering ram. The frail
fastenings gave way, and Hendricks al
most fell into the room
Ralph was standing in corner,
holding an envelope over low turned
gas Jet
II beg pardonr' exclaimed Hen
dricks An accident. assure you. Ny
foot slipped. and l tumbled against
your door I'm devilish awkward
Hope 1 haven't done much damage"
lisa right. stammered the young
man As he spoke the burning envelope
went out. and the crisp black remains
were blown across the room. II was
just trying 10 clean up some old rub.
bish IN my desk l suppose You want 70
look about here. really have no objec-
sion-anything that will help you get
at the facts OF course the whole place
Is at your disposal ="
Thank you, ;" said Hendricks. step
ping between him and the ashes Of the
envelope My friend and myself would
like TO use your desk. see materials
for writing are here-that is. II 1t is no
intrusion.
Ralph shrugged his shoulders
lyon are quite welcome. he 70
turned, with a defiant. dogged expires
Sion.
Hendricks sat down at the desk,
picked up pen and dipped it into the
ink well. "Now. Doctor" he began,
Thompson said he would take 81. 900
for the corner lot. but would not give
me later than tomorrow to decide. Now.
l intend 10 offer him
Hendricks paused and glanced up ut
Ralph. II beg your pardon, Mr.. Ben
ton, but this is-er-A little private deal
We were about to make. and if you had
Just ~ soon"-
"Oh, I'm going" exclaimed Ralph.
q smile and sneer blending ON bis
handsome face II am really sorry II ]
have intruded ON you"
Hendricks seemed to enjoy the situa-
tion.
"Call again, Mr.. Benton" he
laughed. Sorry we are busy today"
II like your cheek" remarked DR..
Lampkin when the young man had left
the room.
"Shp' The smile had left Hendricks
face. Ii was tense and serious. He rose
softly, tiptoed TO the door. opened it
slightly and looked out
Can't be too cautious, he remarked
as he leaned a chair against the door to
keep it closed. "Yes, l admire my
cheek" he went on as he came back
to the doctor, "but like his more. /
tell you he's corker. F"
II dropped on to your ruse to get
him out of the room," said Lampkin.
81 knew Of no Thompson or any corner
lot.
Better to do it decently," returned
the detective. Never give 'em chance
to be defiant and tell you to mind your
own business My idea is to keep on
friendly terms with the whole lot 1t
was that fragment I was after. Hen
bricks pointed to the charred remains OF
the envelope HE was burning it as
we came up stairs. / could smell 1t
through the crack Of the door. That's
why broke in so suddenly"
Hendricks took a sheet Of writing
paper from the desk and slid IL careful
II under the frail, crisp fragment.
Don't dare to breathe on II, he
cautioned as he carried il toward win
dow. 1T will 60 to pieces like soap
bubble. was awfully afraid he'd get
his foot on it and grind it into atoms. !"
The detective raised the sheet Of paper
to his eyes and examined the burned en-
velope carefully. Lampkin heard him
calculate something In tone of disap-
pointment
Empty and blank at thati" he NUT
tered.
What could the fellow mean BY de-
stroying it?' asked DR.. Lampkin.
The brows Of the detective met. he
looked about the room. uiffed the air
and pointed to q stream Of smoke issu-
ing from the room through crack be-
meath window sash.
'sHe has burned more paper than
that, he remarked. "He was all fired
quick about it. We did not burst In on
him soon enough.
As Hendricks spoke he began to thor
oughly search the room.
"Ah. running waterr' he exclaimed.
going to the hot and cold water basin
| in q little alcove adjoining the room
| .nd looking iuto II "Got \ match. doc
| tori It's dark here.