The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-10-22


Benton. agnes heard the report Of
revolver. {"
"Agnes-Miss Hastings must have
made mistake" said the young man
slowly. "When did you hear it?"
about an hour ago." replied Miss
Hastings. She was wondering why his
voice sounded so strange to her.
awake papa" Alice Benton called
up to him, "and come down. The gen.
tlemen are going to search the grounds.
Oh, / wish we didn't live so far out! I
haven't seen policeman near here in
a month"
The window sash fell with crash.
Ralph Benton had disappeared.
"Your father" Miss Hastings ex-
planned to her friend, event down the
back stairs just before heard the re-
port. He has not returned, and that is
the reason became so anxious.
"About an hour ago, did you say?"
asked Alice Benton.
II think it was about that time
Miss Benton looked at Montcastle.
"Did you see him?" she asked. II
thought perhaps
1.-The governor is not in his room or
in the laboratory" Ralph interrupted
as he came across the veranda. He wore
light overcoat with upturned collar,
and the rest of his attire bore evidence
of his having hastily dressed.
miss Hastings thinks the report
came from the direction of the north
walk" said Stanwood 1T is no use
looking elsewhere just now. Come on,
Benton. Leave Montcastle with the
ladies.
The last words came from the speaker
after he had disappeared in the shrub
berry among the shadows of the tall
trees.
Ralph made step or two in the same
direction. Then he seemed to change his
mind and instead walked down to the
fountain in the center of the grounds
Miss Hastings, who was looking at him
wonderingly, saw him rest his hands on
tho edge of the basin and look down
into ;he water. Presently he stood erect,
turn ed and slowly came back toward
them. just then they heard startled
whistle from Stanwood.
Ralph paused while yet several yards
from the others.
''He must have made discovery Of
some sort" he said. II say, Stanwood,
wh-what' s the matter?''
Miss Hastings noticed that his voice
seemed to break when he raised it in
calling to Stanwood.
Gentlemen, l think you'd better
come down here, !" came in a guarded
tone from the searcher
ooh, mol Don't leave us!'' cried Alice
Benton. 81 cannot bear it, "
"What is it, Stanwood?' asked Ralph.
1.-THE ladies refuse to be left alone. -
Stanwood came out of the shrubbery
Something awful has happened"
he said, looking Mt Miss Benton. "Be
Prepared
'Fatherp' gasped Miss Benton.
Stanwood hesitated and glanced ques-
tioningly at Ralph.
''Out with it, said Ralph, turning
his face toward the house.
Il found your father" said STAN
wood. HE has been murdered
Are you sure it was hep asked
Ralph.
"Quite sure. He is lying under the
large oak in the middle of the north
walk"
Miss Benton's head sank to Miss
Hastings shoulder, and she uttered a
low moan. Suddenly she raised her
head and stared at Montcastle question
ingly.
81 don't believe it, )" said Montcastle.
~ shall 20 and see."
"Hold onp' The command came
from Ralph. 81 presume Stanwood
knows what he is talking about We
must be careful and not do anything
which would stand in the way Of police
Investigations. Many valuable clew
has been lost by too many people being
on the spot before detectives arrive. We
will notify the authorities at once.
He'll have to, lie where he is till''-
"Oh, brother" protested Miss Ben
ton, cant You have him brought into
the house?'
"He is quite right" Montcastle put
in. IF your father is dead, 1t would
not help matters to move him. You la
dies ought to go i'm
"Oh," cried Alice, II cannot bear to
think Of it, and you and p
"Hushl" interrupted Montcastle in a
cautious whisper. Remember your
promise" He drew her arm into his
and started toward the house. The
whispered warning escaped Miss Has
tings, for Ralph was telling Stanwood
what ought to be done. Stanwood
agreed to stand guard at the end Of the
north walk, while Ralph escorted Miss
Hastings to the house and informed the
police.
"You see," Ralph explained, Il
want the thing sifted to the bottom in
the best possible way. IL want to
know who did it and bring the GRIM
inal to justice. Am not right, Stan
wood?'
"Quite, returned Stanwood. II pre-
sumo You will employ Minard Hen
bricks He is wonderful Nothing es-
capes him."
Ralph hesitated. Miss Hastings saw
a strange expression cross his sallow
face.
l. edo