The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1898-03-03
Miss Hastings. who was looking at i

Ri.
Miss Hastings, who was looking at !
wonderingly. saw him rest his hands
the edge Of the basin and look dow
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. 81 say, Stanwood,
wh-what's the NATTER" ~
Miss Hastings noticed that his voice
seemed to break when he raised 1t in
calling to Stanwood.
Gentlemen, I think you'd better
come down here" came in a guarded
tone from the searcher. 49,.
sob, no! Don't leave us!" cried Alice
Benton - cannot bear it. ""<a
"What is it, Stanwood?' asked Ralph.
'sThe ladies refuse to be left alone. -
Stanwood came out of the shrubbery.
Something awful has happened, "
be said, looking at Miss Benton. BE
prepared -. 5,.s :.
'Fatherp' gasped Miss Benton.
Stanwood hesitated and glanced ques-
tioningly at Ralph.
"Out with it, Z" said Ralph, turning
his face toward the house. - .@-., :.
II found your father" said Stan
wood. "He has been murdered. g
'Are you sure it was hes"" asked
Ralph.
"Quite sure. He is lying under the
large oak in the middle Of the north
walk HI. ~.
+ Miss Benton's head sank to Miss
Hastings shoulder, and she uttered a
low moan. Suddenly she raised her
head and stared at Montcastle question
ingly. -
81 don't believe it," said Montcastle.
II shall 20 and see. F" '..'.
"Hold onp' The command came
from Ralph. Il presume Stanwood
knows what he is talking about. We
must be careful and not do anything
which would stand in the way of police
investigations. Many valuable clew
has been lost by too many people being
on the spot before detectives arrive. We
will notify the authorities at once.
He'll have to lie where he is till'-
"Oh, brother" protested Miss Ben
ton, "can't you have him brought into
the house?"
HE is quite right" Montcastle put
in. eff your father is dead, it would
not help matters to move him. You la.
dies ought to 60 in" 49,
"Oh." cried Alice, II cannot bear to
think of it, and you and p
,"Hush!" interrupted Montcastle in a
cautious whisper. Remember your
promise. He drew her arm into his
and started toward the house. The
whispered warning escaped Miss Has
tings, for Ralph was telling Stanwood
what ought to be done. Stanwood
agreed to stand guard at the end of the
north walk, while Ralph escorted Miss
Hastings to the house and informed the
police.
"You see," Ralph explained, II
want the thing sifted to the bottom in
the best possible way. IL want to
know who did it and bring the Grim
inal to justice. Am I not right, Stan
wood?"
"Quite, returned Stanwood. 81 pre-.
sumo you will employ Minard Hen
bricks He is wonderful. Nothing es-
capes him."
Ralph hesitated. Miss Hastings saw
strange expression cross his sallow
face.
IL don't know" he stammered.
"Of course-well, presume the police
will know if it is necessary.
81 should have Hendricks by all
MEANS" Stanwood advised. ~ see by
the papers that he is in the city. He is
undoubtedly the finest detective in
America" ....
Ralph gave his arm to Miss Hastings.
"All right. said he, eff the police
think it necessary. II don t want any
thing left undone."