Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1898-02-10

II am willing" answered kalpn.
and he went into the next room.
Dhring the conversation only single
gas let had been burning Hendricks
rose. held q match to the fame and
lighted two other jets. He had just re-
sumed his seat on the lounge when
Ralph and his sister entered.
She bowed rather coldly to Hendricks
and Lampkin. -,
"You wished to see me?" she asked
the former as she sat down stittiy.
Eyes, I wanted to ask you few
ouestions," answered the detective,
ewing her attentively. 1T would ma.
terially aid me in my Investigations to
have you explain a few things concern
Ing your actions on the night your
father was killed.
Miss Benton's glance fell to her lap.
Surely you are mistaken, Mr. Hen
dricks," she said. why. what can you
mean?'
II have proof" said the detective,
THAT you and Mr. Montcastle packed
A couple of bags and tried to catch the
1880 train for New York that night AS
nearly as can get at it, you left imme-
diately after the murder. You missed
your train, and as the next one was not
due till $3.50 you came back home.
Miss Benton's face had paled. Her
shoulders rose and quivered convulslve-
". For minute she continued to look
down. Then an angry light began to
blaze In her eyes,
do you mean" she asked, fixing
Hendricks with steady gaze-"do you
mean to intimate that You suspect MI.
Montcastle and myself of-the crime9"
Hendricks reply was skillfully eva
siva
II mean that 1t will be far better in
any case for you or Mr.. Montcastle to
explain your conduct on that night
Miss Benton sneered.
II presume you are trying to play
trick on me, as you did on my brother
last night. II you want to find out any.
thing about me, go elsewhere You can't
brighten me"
"Sister, this is very serious matter"
spoke up Ralph. "You must explain
yourself, or Montcastle, at least, will
get into trouble"
"Trouble?" asked the young lady an
grily. HAS this detective any right to
pry into our own private affairs3" Then
her face rapidly changed its expression.
"Why, what can you mean? Neither
Mr.. Montcastle nor could be accused.
You know you told me what you had
seen."
"Oh, I forgot you did not know"
said Ralph quickly. "Mr. Hendricks
has proved to me that father did not
commit suicide; that he was killed by
some one else. We need not explain now.
! am satisfied on that point, and that
Is why it looks so gloomy for Montcas-
tie. Sister. you must really out with
the truth. Did you and he go to the
train that night Answer me. "
Miss Benton seemed too much agitat-
ed to speak. She went to the bell and
rang and came back to her chair. She
was very white and trembling from
head to foot Presently Mary entered.
Ibid you ring, miss?" she asked.
"Is Mr.. Montcastle in the smoking
room?' said Miss Benton.
"No, miss; he's in Mr.. Aliens room.
Mr.. Allen has had another hemorrhage,
q pretty bad one. We wanted to send
for a doctor, but he wouldn't let us.
''Tell Mr.. Montcastle to come to me
at once," commanded Miss Benton.
Tell him not to wait minute.
No one spoke till Montcastle entered.
What is it?" he asked, looking at
his fancee in surprise.
"Mr. Hendricks is about to handcuff
me-" explained Miss Benton, with sar-
casm HE says he can prove that wo
went to the station the night father
died and that suspicion has been direct
ed against us. D."
"What?' Numbered Montcastle
"How dare you, sir?"
Hendricks faced him calmly.
"At such time if you refuse to ex-
plain your conduct when requested
civilly. it is right and proper that sus-
picion should fall on you. am simply
seeking for information.
"But You are going into our own
private affairs" answered Montcastle.
because Mr.. Benton happened to be
killed that night is no reason we should
make confdant Of you unless we wish
to do so.
''You can explain now or do it in
court" answered Hendricks, with
smile. From my standpoint as de-
tective / am obliged to regard your
conduct that night as suspicious. "
HE is right, Montcastle" broke in
Ralph excitedly. GAS the present head
of this family insist on an explana-
tion. If you had anything to do with
the crime"-
Brother, be ashamed Of yourselfl'
cried Miss Benton, rising and standing
between the two men. Remember that
Arthur-Mr. Montcastle-is our guest.
"Do you mean to accuse me of the
murder2" asked Montcastle, white with
rage.
"I'll accuse you of what like and
punch your blasted head, too, if you
don't explain why you were riding in
cab with my sister at that hour Of the
night. Do you understand? Out with
1t, or I'll order your arrest in minutel
am tired of this mystery"
Montcastle stood as if turned to stone.
Miss Benton covered her face and began
to sob.
Tell them" she said to Montcastle.
"There is nothing else to do. Brother
says it was not suicide, and ! shall not
feel so bad about it. thought had
driven poor papa to 1t.
Montcastle leaned on a table for O
minute, then cleared his throat and be-
gan.
''It's tempest in teapot" he said.
II am willing to make q statement, but
want il distinctly understood that l