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

In the sand and the spot where he 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 mem bers of the household
covertly as they came in and took seats
after Mr.. Meynen had announced his
readiness to proceed with the inquest
Arthur Montcastle and Miss Benton
were the last to arrive. They sat on 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 a 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
ear. The officer nodded and put ques-
ton to the witness.
do you happen to know which room
is usually occupied by Miss Benton?'
''It is directly across the hall from
this one, - replied Stanwcod.
Mics Ron+oJ1 tb-avv ctarf1o1 cyla
at Hendricks, and then her eyes met
Montcastles steady, calm gaze. It
seemed to Lampkin that it held a 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 a fur
ried way, but Montcastle leaned for
ward, touched her hand and whispered
something to her.
Mr.. Montcastle's room is adjoining
Miss Benton s." answered Stanwood.
"You were the first to approach the
dead man, think, Mr.. Stanwood, were
you not?" continued Mr.. Meynell.
81 was, " replied the witness.
Again Hendricks suggested a ques-
tion to the coroner.
"Was Mr.. Benton quite dead when
you discovered him in the garden?''
asked Mr.. Meynell.
Eyes, 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 I ask the witness some CUES
tions?" asked the detective.
Certainly, as many as you like,
answered the court.
Ibid you touch the body?" asked
Hendricks
Il 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 Mr.
Montcastle and Miss Benton up?''
Eyes -
Where were they?'' asked the detect
i've.
''They were in the back yard, or
lAOJ NOIO COIilIS LII LULU ouC
side veranda. "
Il think that will do for the present,
Mr. Stanwood,' said Hendricks He
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 us, Mr.. Montcastle,'
said Hendricks, strange sparkle of ex-
pectation IL his eyes, if you heard the
report of revolver in the garden last
night.
Ell did not,''' said Montcastle,
Rtammering.
tThen you were not walked by it?''
mo, I was not. -
Hendricks brows came together in
thoughtful pucker, and then he aston
Ished DR.. Lampkin by saying, "Thas
will do Mr.. Montcastle, and then to
the coroner, ''Please call Miss Benton
next
The young woman started to rise, but
Montcastle whispered something to her,
ind she sank back ON the sofa, looking
pale, fatigued and excited.
Olu you near the report OF revolver
in the garden last night?' asked the de-
tective.
81 don't think-no, I did not, - was
the reply.
''You could not have been awake
when it was fired, then?'' said Hen
bricks interrogatively.
81 don't know, sir. I 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