Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1898-01-17

and seemed to have his mind on some
thing a thousand miles away.
The coroner next called for the testi-
mony of Miss Hastings.
"You were walked by the report, I
believe, Miss Hastings?" he began.
81 was not. I was already awake, !"
said Miss Hastings.
Hendricks seemed to pull himself to-
gether suddenly. He bent forward and
whispered to Mr.. Meynell
"Were you walked by something else,
or had you not gone TO sleep?" ques-
toned Mr. Meynell.
A look Of hesitation crossed the face
of the witness. She glanced hurriedly
at Ralph Benton. who stood leaning
against the mantelpiece, and started to
speak, but seemed unable to formulate
a reply
The coroner repeated his question,
glancing at Hendricks as If for approval.
81 was walked by voices in Mr. Ben
ton S room,'' said Miss Hastings
"When was that?' asked Mr. Mey-
nell.
About 20 minutes before l heard
Mr.. Benton-Mr. Joseph Benton-go
down stairs.
''Did You recognize che voices?" put
in Hendricks, with an apologize nod
to Mr.. Meynell.
Again Miss Hastings eyes crossed
over to Ralph Benton, but he was not
looking at her.
''Only Mr.. Jacob Benton - said the
witness.
could you hear what he was say
ing?''
''Only few words here and there"
"What were some Of the words?"
went on Hendricks firmly.
81 think | heard him say once-it
seemed to be when the door was opened
Montcastte whispered something to her.
for some one to pass out-that he would
disown somebody the next day"
"Can you recall the exact words?"
asked Hendricks, his eyes twinkling.
81 think he said: You are no child
of mine I shall disown you tomor-
row.
Ralph Benton was idly examining
pipe which he had taken from the
manteIpiece. He did not seem to be
listening to what the witness was say
ing.
''You say the door was opened,' said
Hendricks. "Did any one pass out?'
ST think SO, sir, - replied Miss Has
tings. 81 heard some one descending the
front stairs Lear my door.
And after that2" went On Hen
bricks. After that
ST heard Mr.. Jacob Benton walking
about in his room for perhaps 30 min
utes. Then he went into his laboratory
and then descended the rear steps,
which lead to the garden. p
How long was it after he descended
the stairs before you heard the report?'
asked Hendricks.
"Only two OR three minutes was
the reply
81 believe that is all / wish to ask
The Witness said Hendricks to the
roroner
Mr. Meynell told Miss Hastings that
che might sit down, and then he asked
Mary and Jane, the two housemaids,
some questions. Neither of them had
been walked by the report of the re-
volver, nor had either heard the bell
when Miss Hastings rang. They did
not know she had wanted them till
Early in the evening they had been
told by Miss Benton that they need not
stay up; that she and Mr.. Montcastle
were going to finish a game of chess
Miss Benton had promised to see to the
lights and close the house.
The coroner called for the testimony
Of Wilson, the gardener, and Edward
Jarnagin, the coachman. They confess
ed to having drunk good deal of beer
the previous night, which perhaps had
made them sleep more soundly than
usual and caused them not to hear the
revolver, though the ROOM they occu-
pied over the stable, in thD lower part
Of the grounds, was near enough for
the report to have reached them.
The coroner was asking them some
questions when Hendricks
rose and tiptoed across the room to
Lampkin.
"Will you do something for me?' he
asked.
"Gladly," replied the doctor.
Hendricks lowered his voice to a
whisper:
$50 to the nearest Office and tele-
graph johnson to bring the best blood
hound I have. Then meet me here. !"
"All right. Lampkin picked up his
hat and rose.
''Stay,'' said Hendricks, following
him to the door. "While you are out
you'd better eat something. shall do
without till LATER
TO BE CONTINUED.
State of Ohio, Toledo, Lucas Co.,
Frank j. Cheney makes oath that he is the
senior partner of the firm of F. ]. Cheney 8