The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-11-12
CHAPTER vi.


Of the witnesses.
II think have called them all ex-
cept the son of the old man" said he
just then they heard a groan from
Ralph Benton and saw him clutching
at the mantelpiece. A china cup and
saucer fell to the hearth with crash,
and the young man sank slowly to the
floor, face downward.
"Oh, he has faintedp' cried his Sis
ter, and she ran to him and tried in
vain to raise him up. Montcastle Sc
cured a pillow from the sofa and put it
under the young mans head. Hendricks
sprang up to get some water, and find
ing the jug on the table empty he ran
into the next room. There he filed a
glass from a water cooler and brought
it back. AS he entered Ralph was re-
viving. The young man opened his
eyes, smiled family, drank little of
the water held to his lips by his excited
sister and then drowsily closed his eyes.
SIS he subject to fainting attacks?"
asked Hendricks.
"He used to have them when he was
a Child" answered Miss Benton. "Oh,
don't know what to dol 1t is all so
awful My poor father is dead. and if
brother were to die don't know what
Ishould do. Call Wilson and Jarnagin. I"
She looked up at Montcastle. she
must be removed to his room. It has
all been too much for him. I hope it
will soon be over" She was looking at
Hendricks. "Surely you won't keep us
here much longer?'
"Will his testimony be necessary"
asked the coroner, touching the detect
i've on the arm.
"Why, not at all, said Hendricks.
"You won't find out anything else
from the family and household. We
must look outside. my friend. outside. :"
"Thank you" said Miss Benton,
holding bottle of smelling salts to her
brothers. nostrils and rubbing his fore
head tenderly. Wilson and Jarnagin
approached. They raised the young
man between them and bore him from
the room. They were followed by the
other witnesses, and Hendricks, the
coroner and the jury were left alone in
the library. A verdict was soon rem
dered. Il read as follows:
"We find that Jacob Benton met his
death from shot fred by an unknown
person.
As the jury were retiring Hendricks
turned to Mr.. Meynell.
"What were the contents of the dead
mans pockets?' he asked.
The coroner opened q brown paper
parcel on the table. It contained note
book. purse of $40, penknife, lead
pencil and watch and chain.
''Looks as If nothing were taken"
said the detective tentatively.
''No; robbery was not the motive
evidently, Mr.. Hendricks. You can
safely bank on that"
Hendricks nodded thoughtfully.
II should like to keep these things
along with the revolver if you have no
objection" said he. "They may sug-
gest an idea for operation. For the
present am at sea in very poor craft. !"
Mystery to me-" said the coroner.
"By the way, presume l did right in
letting the undertaken look after the
body. see they are bringing it round
to the drawing ROOM"
Perfectly right" replied the detect
i've. ooh, say, Meynell" as the
coroner was turning away. II presume
we have seen all the people who usual
ly live in the house, haven't we?''
''Well, no, not exactly" replied the
coroner. "There is Mr.. Brooks Allen,
an elderly man, who has been for years
associated with Mr.. Jacob Benton in
his scientific work. / was told by the
chief of police that he lives here about
half his time, though he has not been
in East Orange for week or so.'
Hendricks pulled his beard reflective
ly.
"There is one other thing" he said.
"I'd like to have the clothes in which
old Benton was found. Please have
them done up carefully for me. may
have use for them
easy enough" answered the coro-
ner. CPL speak to the undertaken about
them at once. I wish you luck, Mr.
Hendricks. I'm sure you are the right
man to throw light on the mystery"
GAS you go out" said Hendricks,
frowning down the compliment, please
send that coachman to me. I'll wait
here.'
In minute Jarnagin entered. Hen
bricks smiled at him reassuringly.
Thought you might help me little,
Jarnagin," he began. Hold your
tongue, and I'll see that you don't lose
anything by it,"
''I am the sort that can do il, sir, I"
said the coachman, already at his ease.
81 know that, Jarnagin," said the
detective. throwing himself into an
easy chair and biting the end of cigar.
lyon see I want to know something
about the people who live in place
where q crime has been committed.
Every one can help little by sugges-
tion here and there. Now, have seen
every one but this Mr.. Allen, who,
understand, has been associated with
your late master in his scientific work"
"He has not been here for more than
Q week, sir" replied Jarnagin. Him
an master had a rumpus about some
contract or other. heard 'em quarrel
in one night in this very room. sir.''