The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-11-05
CHAPTER v.


having Hendricks point out the tracks
in the sand and the spot where he had
found the revolver the coroner and his
men went into the house. Ralph had
decided, as it would be necessary to
hear the testimony Of the ladies of the
household, to have the inquest held in
the library.
DR.. Lampkin saw Hendricks eying
covertly as they came in and took seats
after Mr.. Meynell had announced his
readiness to proceed with the inquest.
Arthur Montcastle and Miss Benton
were the last to arrive. They sat on a
sofa little removed from the others of
their party.
Charles Stanwood was the first wit
ness called. He testified that he was
walked about half past O'Clock by Miss
Hastings, who informed him she had
heard the report of revolver in the
garden from the direction of the north
walk. He had dressed hastily and gone
down stairs with Miss Hastings, who
objected to being left up stairs alone.
They had found Mr.. Montcastle below
with Miss Benton, and Ralph Benton
soon afterward joined them.
At this juncture Hendricks, who was
sitting beside Mr.. Meynell, looked
sharply at the pair on the sofa and
whispered something into the coroner's
ear. The officer nodded and put ques-
tion to the witness.
''Do you happen to know which room
is usually occupied by Miss Benton?''
sit is directly across the hall from
this one, replied Stanwood.
Miss Benton threw startled glance
at Hendricks, and then her eyes met
Montcastle's steady, calm gaze. 1t
seemed to Lampkin that it held warn
ing, for the girl nervously balled her
handkerchief in her hand and stared at
the floor.
"And which room was occupied by
Mr.. Montcastle?" was the coroner's next
question.
Miss Benton raised her eyes in fur
ried way, but Montcastle leaned for
ward, touched her hand and whispered
something to her.
"Mr. Montcastle's room is adjoining
Miss Benton's," answered Stanwood. :,
"You were the first to approach the
dead man, think, Mr.. Stanwood, were
you not?" continued Mr.. Meynell.
81 was" replied the witness.
Again Hendricks suggested q ques-
ton to the coroner.
"Was Mr.. Benton quite dead when
you discovered him in the gardenp"
asked Mr.. Meynell.
"Yes, and quite cold," was the re-
ply. "Miss Hastings said she had heard
the report about an hour before she
walked me. She did not attach much
Importance to it at first, but as she had
heard Mr.. Jacob Benton leave his room
and he had not returned she finally be-
came uneasy about him. !"
"May ask the witness some ques-
tions?" asked the detective.
Certainly, as many as you like"
answered the court
"Did you touch the body?" asked
Hendricks.
IT opened his shirt ard laid my hand
on his heart o see IL life were wholly
extinct" was the answer.
"When you sid Miss Hastings came
down stairs, you say you found Mr..
Montcastle ana Miss Benton up?"
eyes"
"where were tbey?" asked the detect
| i've.
"They were in the back yard, or
rather they were coming in from the
side yeranda.
81 think that will do for the present,
Mr.. Stanwood, said Hendricks. He
turned to the coroner. II believe, Mr..
Meynell. should next call Mr.. Mont
CASTLE"
Montcastle did not rise, but simply
signifed his readiness to testify by a
nod of the head.
"Please tell us, Mr.. Montcastle,"
said Hendricks, strange sparkle of ex-
, pectation in his eyes, "if you heard the
report of revolver in the garden last
night"