Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1898-01-20
CHAPTER V.

After taking look at the body and
having Hendricks point out the tracks
In the sand and the spot where be 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
the different members Of the household
covertly as they came in and took seats
after Mr.. Meynell had announced his
readiness to proceed with the inquest
Arthur Montcastle aud Miss Benton
were the last to arrive They sat Oh 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?"
ut Is directly across the hall from
this one" replied Stanwood.
Miss Benton threw a 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 Bentons, answered Stanwood.
"You were the first to approach the
dead man, think, Mr.. Stanwood, were
you not?" continued MIR. Meynell.
~ was," replied the witness.
Again Hendricks suggested cues
tion to the coroner.
"Was Mr. Benton quito dead when
you discovered him in the garden"
asked Mr.. Moynell.
"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 az you like,
answered the court.
did you touch the body!" asked
Hendricks.
II opened his shirt and laid my hand
on his heart to see if life were wholly
extinct" was the answer.
"When you and Miss Hastings came
down stairs, you say you found MIR.
Montcastle and Miss Benton urf"
"Yes."
where were they2" asked the detect
i've.
"They were in the back yard, or
rather they were coming in from the
side veranda. "
II think that will do for the present,
Mr.. Stanwood," said Hendricks. He
turned to the coroner. II believe, MIR.
Meynell, / should next call Mr.. Mont
castle"
Montcastle did not rise, but simply
signifed his readiness to testify by
nod of the head.
"Please tell u.s. Mr. Montcastle,"
said Hendricks, strange sparkle Of ex-
pectation in his eyes, "if you heard the
report of a revolver in the garden last
ninht "
I'll did not," said Montoastle,
bt0uhSiluS.
''Then you were not walked by it9"
mo, I was not.
Hendricks brows came together In a
thoughtful pucker, and then be aston
ished DR.. Lampkin by saying, "That
will do Mr.. Montcastle, and then to
tho coroner, "Please call Miss Benton
next"
The young woman started to rise, but
Montcastle whispered something to her,
and she sank back on the sofa, looking
pale, fatigued and excited.
"Did you hear the report Of revolver
in the garden last night?" asked the de-
tective.
II don't think-no, did not, was
the reply.
"You could not have been awake
when it was fired, thenf" said Hen
bricks interrogatively.
II don't know, sir. presume"---
The girls eyes met Montcastle's, and
she did not finish. Hendricks bit his
lip and pulled his beard. Then he sur
prised Lampkin by asking question
in an Indifferent tone, which seemed
rnite irrelevant to the suhiect