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

CHAPiEh AA.
The library was empty. Hendricks
tossed his cigar into the CRATE and sat
dow u on lounge. The curtains were
still parted. and they could see two
young ladies in the lamplight at . table
reading. Before sitting down Ralph
started to draw the curtains together,
but Hendricks prevented him.
leave them "a they are. " he said.
at looks cheerful TO an outcast bache-
Tor who seldom catches q glimpse Of
home life" ar
"All right" said Ralph. taking q
seat near Lampkin, who sat opposite
the detective. fs
Thanks" said Hendricka he took
ont fresh cigar and pinched the tip
from it with his finger nails Lampkin
decided that he had never seen Hen
dricks' face hold such look Of min-
gled hesitapcy aud rigid determination.
He claspcd his hands together until the
cigar was almost crushed.
Il say. Benton" )" be began. "Now.
don't take offense. but what do you
know about this Montcastlef believe
that's his name"
Ralph started, returned the steady
gaze OF the detective for minute and
then answered.:
what do I know about him? Not
much. suppose. Why do you askg'
Answer my question first What 90
you know about him?"
Ralph clasped his knee with his hand
and flushed.
Hang IL, Hendricks" he blurted
out. "that's a beastly indelicate ques-
ton. coming right when il does! You
zee, the fellow
81 mean DO offense." broke in Hen
bricks. his voice still tense and firm.
"Bu, what do you know about hiIniP
"The truth is" foundered Ralph
In the rough waters Of embarrassment,
''the truth Is. don't-that isl can't t
say know blamed thing about him
sctually. have only known him slight
" for about three months He and ]
have some mutual friends. but as he
lives far away--San Francisco Ia his
home-I do not know much about him.
You see," Ralph glanced into the draw
ing room, my sister and he are stanch
friends. They have met at Newport
and in Europe, and TO come right down
10 facts she asked me 70 invite him
here 70 our house party. She assured
me be belonged TO good family and
was gentleman. You may be sure If ]
had not thought he was should not
have consented to have him here. l
found him pretty good fellows lit
tie slow-a little more English than
the average New Yorker, but
Ralph's powers Of expression seemed
to fail him.
Hendricks crossed his legs, leaned
back on the lounge, and half Of his
crushed cigar fell to the rug at his feet.
"You remember" hs said. "the tes-
timony of Miss Hastings at the inquest?
She stated that she heard your father
telling some one that he would disown
somebody the next day."
"You mentioned il last night an
swered Ralph. Ia was the FIRST had
heard Of il. asked Miss Hastings about
it today. She seemed surprised that /
had not understood. She told me she
had plainly heard my father say 1t and
that she had ever since thought he was
speaking to me. She appeared very
much upset over il and seemed delight
ed TO have me assure her that my father
had not spoken the words 70 me and
that l had not been in his room that
night. then went 10 my sister and
asked her il my father had used such
words 10 her. She refused to answer
seemed voxed at my question and asked
me if you had said anything about her
and Montcastle last night when ! was
under arrest. ] told her you had not
She wanted TO know what had passed
between us, but kept my promise to
you and said nothing about your theo-
ries. She still believes my father CON-
mitted suicide, is very nervous and has
not been at all like herself since the
murder"
Hendricks leaned forward. II seemed
to Lsmpkin. who was watching his
features closely, that he drew q deep
breath before he began TO speak.
Benton" be said, II am sure your
father was speaking to Miss Benton
that night. Moreover. ] have conclusive
proof that both she and Mr.. Montcastle
hastily packed their things that night
went in a cab to the station and tried
to catch the 1880 train for New York.
have
Ralph sprang TO his feet.
"By heavens, Hendricks," he cried.
"beware Of what you are saying! II
you impugn the good name Of my sister.
II you dare
Keep quiet" said Hendricks calm.
", and he leaned back on the sofa
Don't be impulsive. II you had known
me longer. you would know / do not
make rash statementa Besides, have
said nothing against the character of
your sister II you can account for Miss
Benton's aud Montcastle's conduct that
night, you may do them valuable serv.
ice For the present. however, l am
bound to own that their actions. togeth-
er with their evident secrecy since that
night, have decidedly ugly look.
The young mans anger subsided II
was as il sudden fear and suspicion had
overpowered it. BE leaned on the back
of his chair with trembling handa Hii
face was deathly pale.
Pardon me-" he said "But you
say you know what you have just stat
ed? You know that they tried 70 catch
the 1880 train for New York?'r
.'I do. They were not quick enough.
The next train was not due before S:20.
They came back home, bringing theil
luggage on cab. Montcastle did moi
unpack his bag, but Miss Benton tool
ont her wearing apparel and hung II
mp"
Ralph stared; bis white lips parted.
They could hear him breathing.
.'It's absurd-perfectly absurd" hs
said, trying to smile "Ay sister would
not
Hendricks interrupted him with {
gesture Of the hand.
~ am not" he said. working on
the theory that your sister had hand
in the crime. But, IL I may ask, do yor
| think the relationship between Ain
| Benton and Montcastle 10 such that if
mind you, if-he weFe 20 tell hez he hHd
accidentally killed your father. g did