Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-12-18

casilcy''
cali sister In here. II what you say Is
true. she must give mn explanation. II
Montcastlo killed my father. ! wan;
him taken in charge
II have no objection, replied the
detective,.' but il it is the same to you
I'd like to question her. "
II am willing" answered Ralph,
and he went into the next room.
During the conversation only a single
gas jet had been burning Hendricks
rose. held q match 70 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 s,iffly
Yes. I wanted to ask you few
questions. answered the detective,
eyiug her atten;ively 1T would ma
te,ially aid me IN my Investigations to
have you explain few things concern
iug your ac,ions On the night your
father was killed.
Miss Penton's glance fell to her lap.
'srreIy yen are mistaken, Mr. Hen
Gritl $. sic said. why. what can Jon
Meatl'
Il have proof" said the detective,
.hs., sou and Mr.. Montcastle packed
ga .le CT bags and tried to catch the
1890 tain fer New York that night AS
le:ily as lean get at IL, you left imme-
aialely after the murder You missed
your train. aud as the next one was not
due ill 3:20 you came back home. "
Miss Benton's face had paled. Her
shoulders rose and quivered convulsive-
". For n 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
mesn to intimate thar you suspect Mr..
Montcastle and myself of-the crimef
Hendricks reply was skillfully eva
sive.
81 mean that it will be far better in
any case for you or Mr.. Montcastle te
explain your conduct on that night. /"
Miss Benton sneered.
AZ presume you are trying TO play q
trick on me, as you did on my brother
last night II you want to find ont any
thing about me. 60 elsewhere. You can''
frighten me"
''Sister. this is q very serious matter. y
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 Il
pry into our own private affairs?" Then
her face rapidly changed its expression.
"why, what can you mean? Neither
Mr.. Montcastle nor I could be accused.
You know you told me what you had
seen"
"Oh, I forgot You did not knowp'
said Ralph quickly. me Hendricks
has proved to me that father did moi
commit suicide; that he was killed BY
some one else. We need not explain now.
I am satisfied on that point, and thai
ia why it looks 50 gloomy for Montcas
tie Sister. you must really ont with
the truth. Did you and be go to tht
train that night! Answer me. "
Miss Benton seemed too much agitat
ed to speak. She went to the bell and
rang aud came back to her chair. Sht
was very white and trembling from
head TO foot Presently Mary entered.
Ibid you ring. missi" 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
a pretty bad one. We wanted to send
for a docior. but he wouidnt let ua
''Tcll Mt, Mcntcastle 70 come to mi