Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1898-04-04
CHAPTER Xxx.

tossed his cigar into the CRATE and sat
down on a lounge. The curtains were
still parted, and they could see two
young ladies in the lampIight at a table
reading. Before sitting down Ralph
started to draw the curtains together,
but Hendricks prevented him.
"Leave them as they are,'' he said.
cit looks cheerful to an outcast bache-
Tor who seldom catches a glimpse of
home life. -
'All right said Ralph, taking a
seat near Lampkin, who sat opposite
the detective.
"Thanks,'' said Hendricks He took
out fresh cigar and pinched the tip
from it with his finger nails. Lamp1in
decided that he had never seen Hen
bricks face hold such look Of min
gled hesitancy and rigid determination.
He clasped his hands together until the
cigar was almost crushed.
81 say, Benton" he began. 'tNow,
don't take Offense, but what Go you
know about this-Montcastle? 1 believe
that's his name.'
Ralph started, returned the steady
gaze of the detective for minute and
then answered:
hudG w AiAOH ANOU
much. I suppose. Why do you ask?''
ANSWER my question first. What do
you know about him?'
Ralph cIasDed his knee with his hand
and flushed.
f'Hang it, Hendricks he blurted
out, "that's q beastly indelicate ques-
ton, coming right when it does! You
see, the fellow
bricks, his voice still tense and firm.
"But what do you know about him?'
''The truth is, houndered Ralph
in the rough waters of embarrassment,
''the truth is, don't-that isl can't
say 1 know a blamed thing about him
actually. have only known him slight
~ for about three months He and
have some mutual fr-1Ids, but as he
lives far away-San Francisco is his
home-I do not know much about him.
You see,' Ralph glanced into the draw
ing room, my sister and he are stanch
friends. They have met at Newport
and in Europe, and to come right down
to facts she asked me to invite him
here to our house party. She assured
me he belonged to good family and
was a gentleman. You may be sure if
had not thought he was I should not
have consented to have him here. [
found him pretty good fellow-a lit
tie slow-a little more English than
the average New Yorker, butt
Ralph's powers Of expression seemed
to fail him.
Hendricks crossed his legs, leaned
back on the lounge, and half Of his
I crushed cigar fell to the rug at his feet.
you remember he said, "the tes-
timony OF Miss Hastings at the inquest?
She stated that she heard your father
telling some che that he would disown
somebody the next day
'YOu mentioned it last night an
swered Ralph. cit was the first had
heard of it. asked Miss Hastings about
it today. She seemed surprised that
had not understood. She told NE she
had plainly heard my father say it and
that she had ever since thought he was
speaking to me. She appeared very
much upset over it and seemed delight
ed to have me assure her that my father
had not spoken the words to me and
that I had not been in his room that
night. l then went to my sister and
asked her if my father had used such
words to her. She refused to answer,
seemed veXed at my question and asked
me if you had said anything about her
and Montcastle last night when I was
under arrest. 7 told her you had not.
She wanted to know what had passed
between us, but / kept my promise to
you and said nothing about your theo-
ries. She still believes my father COM
mitted suicide, is very nervous and has
not been at all like herself since the
murder. -
Hendricks leaned forward. 1t seemed
to Lampkin. who was watching his
features closely, that he drew deep
breath before he began to speak.
Benton he said, 81 am sure your
father was speaking to Miss Benton
that night. Moreover, I have conclusive
proof that both she and Mr.. Montcastle
hastily packed their things that night,
went in a cab to the station and tried
to catch the 80 train for New York
I have''-
Ralph sprang to his feet.
'tBy heavens, Hendricks" ne cried,
"beware of what you are saying! If
you impugn the good name Of my sister
if you dare
Keep quiet said Hendricks calm
~, and he leaned back on the sofa.
Don't be impulsive. If you had known
me longer, you would know | do not
make rash stateIpents. Besides, / have
said nothing against the character Of
your sister. If you can account for Miss
Benton's and Montcastle's conduct that
night, you may do them valuable serv-
ice. For the present, however, I am
bound to own that their actions, togeth- |
er with their evident secrecy since that
night, have decidedly ugly look. -