The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-12-01
faoa. Whist -who hard itl's !,
~ did. answered Mis- Hastings
1T must have been an hour ago It
soupded al il it came from the garden
down toward the north walk"
1T may have bsen nothing worth
bothering about" said Stanwood.

VI '
Hello" cried Stdnlpood. "Whdt's the
trouble OutStdcf"
"Montcastle and will 60 down and
look around If you will remain here"
For moment no one spoke as they
all followed Stanwood ont into the yard
through the door by which Montoastle
and Miss Benton had just entered.
Come Oh, Montcastle," proposed
Stanwood. "We might as we'll investi-
gate and have done with it."
"Oh, no; don't leave usl" cried Miss
Benton, leaning on Miss Hastings. II
am afraid I am going to faint Some
thing has happened.
A window sash was raised in Ralph
Benton's room up stairs, and he looked
out.
whats the matter down there?" be
asked.
"Oh, brother, something must have
happened in the gardenl" replied Miss
Benton. "Agnes heard the report Of a
revolver" -r
"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.
wake papa" Alice Benton called
up to him, land come down. The gen.
tlemen are going to search the grounds.
Oh, l wish we didn't live so far outl I
haven't seen policeman near here in
q 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 80 anxious"
. ABOUT an hour ago, did you say3"
asked Alice Benton.
II think 1t was about that time.
Miss Benton looked at Montcastle.
Ibid you Geo 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 bis hands on
the edge Of the basin and look down
into the water. Presently he stood erect,
turned 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,
the matter?''
Miss Hastings noticed that his voice
seemed to break when be raised it in
FALLING to Stanwood.
Gentlemen, / think you'd better
come down here," came in a guarded
lone from the searcher.
ooh, mol Don't leave usl' cried Alice
Benton. II 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"
10 said, looking at Miss Benton. "Be
Father" gasped Miss Benton.
Stanwood hesitated and glanced ques-
;ioningly at Ralph.
"Out with it," said Ralph, turning
lis face toward the house.
II found your father" said Stan-
wood. HE has been murdered.
Are you sure it was he?" asked
3alph.
"Quite sure. He is lying under the
arge oak in the middle Of the north
walk
Miss Benton's head sank to Miss
hastings shoulder, and she uttered
ow moan. Suddenly she raised her
read and stared at Montcastle question
ngly.
II don't believe it, said Montcastle
4 shall go and seq
"Hold onr The command came
rom Ralph. II presume Stanwood
;nows what be Is talking about We
must be careful and not do anything
which would stand in the way Of police
Investigations Many valuable clew
las been lost by too many people being
n the spot before detectives arrive. We
will notify the authorities at once.
He'll have to lie where be ia till"-
"Oh, brother" protested Miss Ben
on, "can't you have him brought into
he house?"
"He is quite right" Montcastle pr
n. IF your father is dead, it would
lot help matters to move him. You la
les ought to 60 in. "
oh" cried Alice, II cannot bear to
hink Of it, and you and p
"Hushl" interrupted Montcastle in