Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-11-06

into the next room. There he filled .
glass from a water cooler and brought
il back. As he entered Ralph was re-
viving. The young man opened his
eyes, smiled .faintly. drank little OF
the water held to his lips by his excited
sister and then drowsily closed his eyes
lis he subject to fainting attacks2"
asked Hendricks
''He used to have them when he was
a child" answered Miss Benton. "Oh,
I don't know what TO dol It Is all 30
awful My poor father is dead. and II
brother were to die don't know what
Ishould do. Call Wilson and Jarnagin. !"
She looked up ut Montcastle. He
must be removed to his room. Il has
all been too much for him. I hope II
will soon be over" She was looking at
Hendricks. Surely You won't keep us
here much longer?"
"will his testimony be nece@nryr
asked the coroner. touching the detect
i've on the arm.
"why, not at all. said Hendricks
"You won't find ont anything else
from the family and household. We
must look outside. my friend, outside. "
THANK you." said Miss Benton,
holding bottle of smelling salts to her
brothers nostrils and rubbing his fore
head tenderly. Wilson and Jarnagin
approached. They raised the young
man between them and bore him from
the room. They were followed by the
other witnesses, and Hendricks, the
corone, and the jury were left alone in
the library. A verdict was soon rem.
dered. Il read as follows:
I've find that Jacob Benton met bis
death from shot fred by an unknown
person"
As the jury were retiring Hendricks
turned to Mr. Meynell.
What were the contents Of the dead
mans pockets?" he asked.
The coroner opened brown paper
parcel on the table. II contained note
book. a purse Of $40. a penknife, a lead
pencil and watch and chain.
Looks ~ II nothing were taken, "
said the detective tentatively.
''No; robbery was not the motive
evidently. Mr. Hendricks You can
safely bank on that. "
Hendricks nodded thoughtfully.
II should like to keep these things
along with the revolver il you have nc
objection. said he. They may sug.
gest nm idea for operation. For the
present am Mt sea in very poor craft. "
Mystery to me-, said the coroner.
by the way, presume l did right In
letting the undertaken look after the
body. see they are bringing II round
to the drawing room.
Perfectly right, replied the detect.
i've. "Oh. I say, Meynelll" as the
coroner was turning away. "Ipresums
we have seen all the people who usual
" live in the house, haven't WEI"
"Well. no, not exactly" replied the
coroner. There is Mr.. Brooks Allen,
an elderly man. who has been for years
associated with Mr. Jacob Benton IN
his scientific work. I was told by the
chief OF police that he lives here about
half his time. though he has not beer
in East Orange for week or so. "
Hendricks pulled his beard reflective
ly.
There is one other thing" he said.
"I'd like to have the clothes in which
old Benton was found. Please have
them done up carefully for me. l may
have y use for them.
Easy enough" answered the coro
ner. "I'll speak to the undertaken about
them at once. wish you luck. Mr..
Hendricks I'm sure you are the right
man to throw light ON the mystery.
"As you go out" said Hendricks
frowning down the compliment, "pleass
send that coachman To me. I'll wait
here"
In q minute Jarnagin entered. Hen
bricks smiled as him reassuringly.
Thought you might help me little
Jarpagin." be began. Hold youl
tongue. and IN see that you don't lost
anything by it,. +"
II am the sort that can do il, sir.
said the coachman, already at his ease
II know that, Jarnagin, said thu
detective. throwing himself into M
easy chair and biting the end Of cigar
"You see, / want to know something
about the people who live in place
where crime has been committed
Every one can help little by a sugges
tion here and there. Now. have seer
every one but this Mr.. Allen, who,
understand. has been associated witt
your late master in his scientific work. '
"He has not been here for more thar
Q week, SIR" replied Jarnagin. Hin