Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-11-13
CHAPTER VII.

CHAPTER VII.
Five minutes later DR. Lampkin en-
tered tie library and closed the door
after him
II got it of, he announced
Hendricks stared at him vacantly.
"You say you-but what did you get
of? don't understand.
1.-The telegram for the bloodhound.
stupid" laughed the doctor. "Have
you forgotten already"
"Oh, l remember! johnson was to
bring Nebo Did you get something to
eat?"
"Yes But what the matterl" asked
the doctor
Hendricks tapped his forehead with
the rips Of his fingers
ITO let, he said II shall put out .
sign at once. II doesn't contain single
idea My brain is mud puddle upon
the surface of which nothing floats.
Why. thought You were getting
along finely" replied Lampkin.
Hendricks walked to the window.
gazed out ON the lawn for minute,
then whirled round suddenly and re-
turned to bis companion.
81 say. old man." said he. II sent
you away at exactly the wrong time.
why. what's happened?"
Hendricks foiled the question with
another
what is man like when he swoonsl"
II don't understand. What do you
meani" asked the doctor.
Hendricks shrugged his shoulders i'm
patiently.
Its your business 70 understand.
Yon are doctor. What did you study
medicine .ory / mean what would .
man look like; How would he fall
down. What color would he be?'
"Ah. seel" said Lampkin thought
fully. "T'-
mo. you don't see Answer my
question.
"How can tell how he would fall?"
said Lampkin spiritedly. Different
men would fall different ways A heavy
man would 20 down like tub Of sau-
sage meat. while u thin man might top
pie over like n billiard cue knocked
from a players hand. As to the color
Of his face, it would be-let me see
about tine color Of chamois skin.
and
''Thunderr' CALCULATED the detective
You mean flushed !"
II mean as white as that Of a dead
mans and cold and clammy, with beads
Of perspiration standing on it !"
Hendricks swore softly.
You told me not ten days ago that
there was nothing for me TO learn. and
yet Just now was breaking my neck
To get wafer for swooning man with
u face as red as beet I'm an ass.
Who swoonedi"
Nobody, d--n it, according 20 your
own diagnosis Ralph Benton, however.
did capital piece OF acting He keeled
over beautifully just before his name
was called AS witness.
And didn testify"
mo; didn't care for his testimony.
though.
well. then. what's the mattery"
Matter; Do you suppose / want 70
b hopping like mad after water before
all those people TO give water to
young ass who is playing of on me!'
What are you going TO do about it!'
Get even with him before this thing
is done with. Let's go into the hall
We are losing time. "
The library door opened. and Miss
Hastings looked in
"oh. beg pardonr" she said. start
ing TO withdraw.
"It's all right" said Hendricks.
quickly stepping toward her. I'VE were
Just going out. How is Mr.. Benton"
He is better" replied Miss Has
tings. He is in his sisters room. sit
ting up"
"We were just starting to hook around
the house a bit," said Hendricks.
Would you mind telling us which is
Jour room and the one formerly occu-
pied by Mr.. Jacob Benton?"
mime is at the head Of the front
stairs on the right as you go up" re-
piled Miss Hastings "Mr. Benton's
was next to it. between my room and
his laboratory"
"Thank You. And Miss Benton's
room Isl
ION this floor, back Of the sitting
room. after you cross the narrow pas
sage"
MIR. Montcastle's Is opposite hers.
I believe" went on Hendricks
"Yes."
'Mr Ralph Benton rooms mp stairs,
presume
"Yes, across the hall from his ia
ther's apartment
THANK you," said Hendricks, with
a pleasant smile and bow. "We want
to look the premises over and shall be-
gin at the bottom. Come on, doctor. I"
The detective led Lampkin from the
library and down long hall into which
several doors opened. As they were
passing Miss Benton's room they heard
voices within.
''Montcastle is there" whispered
Hendricks over his shoulder, land
while they are OBTAINING him i want to
peep into his chamber.
The next minute he laid his hand on
the knob of Montcastle's door. II was
locked. The detective smiled broadly a.
he took heavy bunch Of keys from his
pocket and began to try them In the
| lock.
"Swiped 'em from Jane during the
inquest. he laughed She had 'em
tied TO her waist with q string.
shipped it with my penknife. Saw her
just now searching for them on the
front lawn. All. here we are" Hen
dricks pushed the door open, and when
they had entered he closed and bolted 1t.
Don't want anybody plunging in on
us. !" he explained as his eyes began tf
rove about the apartment "Ahp hs
cried, pointing TO good sized travelling
bag in a corner. Remember what
told you about the 1880 train and the
cab tracks in the rear and in the front!'
II remember. replied the doctor.