The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1901-11-29
CHAPTER XVII.

BentOn's murder was certainly the
sensation of the week in Manila, for
there were features connected with
the case that made it still more per-
picking, even mysterious.
Maj. Farguhar, who must have seen
young Foster frequently at Fort
Averill, had been sent to survey the
harbor of 1loilo and could not b.
in course of the day to identify the
remains. long and carefully studied
the calm, waxen features of the dead
soldier, and said with earnest con-
viction:
"This is undoubtedly the young
man who appeared at Col. Brent's
and whom l sought to question, but
who seemed to take alarm at once
and, with some confused apology.
backed away. He was dressed very
neatly IN the best white drilling sack
coat and trousers as made in Manila,
with fine straw hat and white shoes
and gloves, but he had a fuzzy beard
all over his face then, and his man
ner was nervous and excitable. Ills
eyes alone showed that he was un-
strung, bodily and mentally. I set
him down for a crank or some one
just picking up from serious illness.
The city is full of newcomers, and
as yet no one knows how many stran-
gers have recently come to town. +
saw him only that once in a dim
light, but am positive in this identi-
fication."
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GERS of Benton's regiment were eX-
amined. Their stories were concise
and to the point. The young soldier
had come with the recruits from San
Francisco along late in August. He
was quiet, well-mannered, attended
strictly to his own business, and was
eager to learn everything about his
duties. They "sized him up" as a
young man of education and good
family who hadn't influence enough
to get a commission and so had en-
listed to win it. He had money, bu:
no bad habits. He helped in the
Office with the regimental papers,
and could have been excused from
oil duty and made clerk, but wouldn'
be. He said he'd help whenever they
wanted him, but he didn't wish to be
excused from guard or drills or pa.
troll or picket-said he wanted tc
learn all there was in it. Even tho
rough fellows in the ranks COULDN'T
help liking him. He had a pleasant
word for everybody that didn't bother
him with questions. He made on,
OF two acquaintances, but kept most
ly to himself; never got any letters
from America, but there were two
from Houg-Kong, perhaps more. Il
he wrote letters himself, he postei
them in town. They never went will
the company mail from the Quartet
Everybody seemed to know thai
Benton wasn't his own name. bu
that was nothing. The main thins
queer about him was that he got
pass whenever he could and wen
by himself, most generally out t,
Pace, where the cavalry were. yet h,
said he didn't know anybody there
1t was out Pace way on the Calzad,
Herran, close to the corner of tn
Singalon road, the patrol picked hin
up with his head laid open. and he,
been Tightly pretty much ever sine
and troubled about being robbed
Seemed all right again. however
when reporting for duty. and per
fectly sane and straight then.
Two very bright young soldiers
Clarke and Hunter, We're called in 70
their statements. They. too. had en-
listed in a spirit of patriotism an
desire for adventure: never kne,
Benton till the voyage was nearl
over, then they seemed to drift te
gether, as 1t were, and kept up tn:
friendship after reaching Manils