The hummer. (Houston, Miss.) 1914-19??, 1915-06-18

Fan righi.r exclaimed. e little
nettled that be should have anticipated
me even 90 much in the case. -But
you haven't heard the latest"
what is it," be asked with provok-
ing calmness.
Taylor Dodge" I blurted out. has
the clue. Tomorrow he win track down
the mani"
Kennedy fairly jumped as I repeat
ed the news.
How long has he Known be de-
manded eagerly.
Perhaps three or four hours" has
arded.
Kennedy Eazed at me hxedly.
Then Taylor Dodge Is deadi" be
exclaimed. throwing on his acid-stained
laboratory Jacket. and hurrying into
his street clothes.
"Impossiblei" I calculated.
Kennedy paid no attention to the OBJ
lection. Come, Walter" he urged.
I'VE must hurry before the tran gets
cold"
There was something positively un-
canny about Kennedy's assurance. ]
doubted-yet / feared.
Il was wen past the middle Of the
night when we pulled up In 9 night
hawk taxicab before the Dodge house,
mounted the steps and rang the bell
Jennings answered sleepily, but not
so much 80 that he did not recognize
me. He was about TO bang the door
shut when Kennedy interposed his
foot
Where Is Mr.. Dodge?" asked Ken
nedy. is be all right7"
"Of course he is-ln bed" replied
the butler.
Just then we heard q faint CRY, like
nothing exactly human. Or was It our
heightened imaglnations. under the
spell Of the darknessi
"Ldstenl" cautioned Kennedy.
We did, standing there now in the
hall. Kennedy was the only one Of us
who was cool. Jennings face blanched,
then he turned tremblingly and went
down to the library door, whence the
sounds had seemed to come.
He called, but there was no answer.
He turned the knob and opened the
door. The Dodge library was a large
room. In the center stood a big, fiat
topped desk Of heavy mahogany. II
was brilliantly lighted.
At one end Of the desk was a tele-
phone. Taylor Dodge was lying on the
floor at that end Of the desk-perfect-
ly rigid-his face distorted CHASTITY
figure. A pet dog ran over. smiled
frantically at his masters legs and
suddenly began to howl dismally.
Dodge was deadl
"Help!" shouted Jennings.
Others Of the servants came rush
ing in. There was, for the moment, |
the greatest excitement and confu-
sion.
Suddenly a wild figure in flying gar
ments fitted down the stairs and into
the library, dropping beside the dead
man. without seeming to notice Us at
ell.
'Fatherl" shrieked a woman's voice,
heart-broken. "Fatheri Oh-my God
-he-he is deadl"
Il was Elaine Dodge.
With q mighty effort, the heroic girl
seemed to pull herself together.
Jennings" she cried, "call Mr. Ben
nett-immediatelyl"
From the one-sided, excited CONVEX
sation Of the butler over the telephone,
/ gathered that Bennett had been IN
the process of disrobing in his own
apartment uptown. and would be right
down.
Together, Kennedy, Elaine and my
self lifted Dodge to a sofa and Elaine's
aunt, Josephine, with whom she lived,
appeared on the scenes trying TO quiet
the sobbing girl
Kennedy and withdrew little way,
and he looked about curlously.
what was it," I whispered. "Was
It natural, an accident, or-or MUIR
derg" The word seemed to stick in
my throat. If It was q murder, what
was the motive? Could it have been
to get the evidence which Dodge had
that would incriminate the master
criminal?
Kennedy moved over quietly and ex-
amined the body Of Dodge. When he
rose his face had a peculiar look.
"Terriblel" he whispered to me.
Apparently he had been working at
his accustomed place at the desk when
the telephone rang. He rose and
crossed over to It. Seel That brought
his feet on this register let into the
floor. AS he took the telephone re-
ceiver down a fash Of light must have
shot from It to his ear. It shows the
electric burn"
"The motive?" I queried.
Evidently his pockets had been
gone through, though none Of the valu-
ables were missing. Things on bis
desk show that a hasty search has
been made"
Just then the door opened and Ben
nett burst in.
As he stood over the body, gazing
down at II. repl essing the emotions Of