Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-12-04
cof1NeHT fssz 81 viii N, ,nAssE"
o.o ..o.-

Utl8utcI ~ ~ ucsScuueu wa ~ WIN sho
form Of letter "B" and then melted
away. The next spark formed the let
ter "E," and the letters of fire con-
tinued to form and fall till the word
Benton" had been spelled
Tho last letter went out with bright
cash, giving Lampkin vague view Of
the large room and the Benton party
about 30 feet in front Of him. The next
instant the room was totally dark. Il
remained 90 for two or three minutes.
Then tho fiute note sounded again. and
large square Of light appeared ahead
Of them. Il looked as II IL were half .
mile from where the spectators sat
Slowly il began 70 take the form OF the
interior Of room. The walls. pictures
and curtains came into view. and then
the furniture, q desk. man sitting at 1t.
Alice Benton stified scream. Il was
her father. He sat writing. He leaned
forward and dipped his pen in the ink
stand The spectators saw the movement
Of his hand over the paper and heard
the scratching Of his pen. He turned his
head, looked nc them and then rose de.
hberately. laid his left hand on his
breast and pointed steadily at them.
His lips moved. but no sound passed
through them. Then DR.. Lampkin heard
some one rasping for breath and .
heavy weight fall to the floor. Instant.
ly the room was dark.
"A light" cried Ralph Benton's
voice. Turn ON the lights! Something
has happened to Mr.. Allen.
What has happened'" asked the
adept from tho darkness
"Mr. Allen has tainted" replied
Ralph. He was not well and did not
want TO come here anyway. Why don't
you turn on the lightss'
Dr. Lampkin felt some one touch his
elbow and the warm breath Of the do
tective ON his ear
Remain where you are, '" whispered
Hendricks Blast his ugly picture"
."Give rs light / sayp cried Ralph
augrily.
"See, he--your Mr.. Allen is waking.
said the adept
"waking?" sneered Benton. do you
think that's the way he usually retires:"
The darkness was lifted slightly.
How IL was done Lampkin could not
tell Montcastle nnd Ralph could be
seen standing and supporting Allen be-
tween them
The door is open. said Kola
You d better all 60 out into the fresh
air.
Mcntcastle and Allen were cropping
toward tho door, led by the adept Sud
denly Ralph. who had not moved, raised
his voice:
81 don't intend TO leave till know
what this internal business means. ]
cay. Montcastle, give me match"
SCurse the young daredevill" ex-
claimed Hendricks. still near TO Lamp
kin. and the doctor heard him take
something from his pocket which rat
tied like pieces Of metal. "I'll pay him
for this. 4"
Then the flute note sounded twice.
"The master wants Us to retire" said
Kola.
"who the devil is the mastery"
sneered Ralph. This thing touches my
own family, and ! am going TO look
into IL.
''Don't be q fool. cautioned STAN
wood The ladies nre here, and they
have already had enough
Fer my sake, come on. dear" inn
plored Miss Hastings. 1--WE don't know
where we are, and'-
"Montcastle," commanded Ralph,
take the ladies out ] am going to
icok into thisL It's all trick to work
on our imaginations by that internal
HenGricks F"
Lampkin heard the metallic clicking
in the detectives hand and saw him
gli,ie suddenly forward He had no
sooner reached Ralph than another
clicking sound was heard. There was
a struggle. rafting Of chain, and
AN angry oath escaped Benton's lipa
what do you mean!" he cried, turn
ing ON Hendricks and raising his hand.
cuffed wrists threateningiy.
'You are under arrest for the murder
Of your father. said Hendricks He
whistled shrilly. and light was turned
ON behind q screen in the rear. Its
beams partially lighted the long room