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

remains OF burned paper INTO the city
sewer He is now laughing in his sleeve
ut my maneuvering to get possession OF
that blank envelope. That's the second
time he has done me. I'll keep the
count"
II don't quite like his looks :" re-
marked the doctor. 1T seems TO me he
il trying to cover up something.
Hendricks said nothing, but taking
the charred envelope from the desk he
laid IL exactly ON the spot where 1t had
blown from Ralph's hand.
What's that for!' asked Lampkin.
ut can't aid me to keep it, and when
he comes back here and finds it still
there he will be thrown of the track.
Now we must take peep at the
young fellows belongings l don't
think he was undressed last night
that il, am pretty sure he did not
take off his shirt and necktie.
Why
Because q young man Of his taste
would never wear O black dress bow,
such as he has ON now. with q business
suit Of clothes.
"You think, then. that he was in
evening dress last night?" asked DR.
Lampkin.
Hendricks opened a closet See oil
those coats neatly hung on coat stretch
ers back tbere?" he asked.
Lampkin nodded
THAT shows the young man Ia order
ly by habit" went on the detective.
"well, here hangs his evening suit. II
has simply been jerked on to the hook.
You know q man Is more particular
about his evening suit than airy other.
There is little doubt that Ralph Benton
took of these garments In rush last
night" Hendricks carried the coat.
vest and trousers to one Of the windows
and examined them closely In the light.
Lampkin saw him holding up first one
article and then another. with per-
picked look on his face.
What's up?" asked the doctor, ap-
preaching him.
II cant account for the presence Of
these fragments Of tow" answered
Hendricks II find them on the lapels
Of the coat, ON the front part Of the vest
and absolutely rubbed into the cloth on
the inside Of the trousers legs Seep' he
exclaimed. THE silk has been worn
of one Of the vest buttons.
That's strange, said Lampkin-
~ should think so. answered Hen
bricks How in thunder could man
get suit Of clothes in exactly that
condition."
Might have been drunk. +" suggested
the doctor
THAT would not account for direct
line Of tow fragments from his ankles
to his neck" said Hendricks If IL
were covered all over. it would be diff
ferent. but Hendricks turned and
hung up the garments as he had found
them. Its chaos, my friend" he
said Never was q matter in more
nebulous condition. First IT'S Miss
Benton. then Mntcastle. then Ralph.
them
"Me?" jested Lampkin, seeing that
Hendricks bad stopped for lack OF
words.
"Yes, you, blast your ugly pictured!
retorted the detective, with n merry
laugh. "You did il in your sleep after
swimming the river in your nightshirt,
holding your revolver over your head to
keep il dry Then you swan back. got
into bed. and ! walked you.
lyon never play the clown except
when you are thwarted, and you rarely
play the clown" said Lampkin. I'm
piled compliment-seel"
"Epigram. You shall write them for
my play. said Hendricks
"You have forgotten more bright
things than know" said Lampkin.
"You d know more if you d forgotten
fewer Of your witticisms How's that
for roundabout compliment lbelieve
shall write my epigrams myself
Some one raped on the door. Hen
bricks opened it. II was Jane. the house
maid.
"a man with a dog is down stairs,
sir, to SEQ you." she informed Hen
bricks
"All right Tell him I'll be down at
once" said the detective. He got here
quick enough. remarked Hendricks to
the doctor as they started down the
stairs