The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-01
The Pencil.

Under sweetwater's careful guidance,
the clock fell slowly back into place. 1t
was one of those solid time-pieces which
seem to form part of the shelf on when
they stand. When it was again quite
level, he pointed to it's face. The hands
stood at half past nine, just ten minutes
previous to the time Of my entering the
house.
AT what hour did Mr.. Leighton Gill
lespie go out tonight" he asked.
No one answered.
Before half past nine or after it?''
urged the coroner consulting the faces
about him for the answer he probably had
no expectation Of receiving from any
ones lips.
"Leighton's all right" cried out a
voice from the library. II hate his purl-
tanical ways, but there's no harm IN
him"
1t sounded like Alfred, but the impress
sion made by this interruption was not
good.
will you allow me to state fact? p
ventured Miss Meredith coming impul-
sively forward. IF you hope to establish
the guilt OF innocence of any one by the
time marked by these hands, you Will
make a mistake. The clock has been
out of order for some days yes
terday 1t ran down. l heard my uncle
say that it would have to go back to III
fanys for REPAIRS
, "Fetch in, the butler or whoever has
charge of this ROOM" ordered DR.. Frisbie
LET none of you attempt to speak while
he is present / wish to interrogate MN
myself and will have no Interruptions.
We all drew back, and silence reigned ir
the spacious apartment which, lit up as
for a dinner party, was yet in such a state
of disorder that the orderly old butler
groaned as his eyes fell upon the heaped
up rugs, the overturned chairs, and the
great table stacked with fine china ant
cut-glass taken from the buffet ant
closets.
ooh, what shall I do here?" he grum
bled What would MASTER
He did not finish; but we all understood
him. The coroner pointed to the clock.
When was this wound last?'
The old man stared at the timepiece
mumbed, and shook his head. Then nj
eyes fell on Miss Meredith.
Il don't remember he protested. 81
has not been running for days; has it
Miss? 1 have had to use my watch in or
der to be on time with the meals. VIII!
do you ask, sir?' .
He was not answered. This repeated
closing UP Of every avenue of inquiry wa
beginning to tell upon the police.
Mr. Gillespie looked very sober, yer,
sober indeed, when he found he had t.
drink his wine alone continued the but
Ter, with melancholy emphasis calcu
lated to draw our attention back to. tn
scene which had manifestly made such a
impression upon him. He lifted up hi
glass and held it out long while befor
he drank It, I think he looked at eac
one Of the young gentlemen In turn, bu
didn't care to watch him too closely, 10
there was something solemn about hl1
which made me feel queer, living so lon
as 1 have in the family and. with ever
hob &c
arms when l came here. He drank
finally, standing. But there was no har1
in that glass, sirs, for finished the bot
tie myself afterwards, and l am we'll, a
you see. More's the PITY
.'.Shut up!" shouted an angry voice frol
across the hall. you're maying a -
mess of the whole affair with your con
founded ORWELL
The coroner motioned the butler ava.
The atmosphere Of the house had no
become oppressive even to me. and for tn
first time I experienced desire to
quit of it, and would certainly have mad
some movement towards departure had
not been for my dread of leaving Mis-
Meredith alone with her own thoughts.
Meanwhile the coroner was issuing h
orders.
"Dakin, request the gentlemen upstail
to come down again for few minute
DR.. Bennett. the body of your patie1
can now be moved '-.
.'Ah here we are again. he exclaime
as Leighton was heard descending tt
stairs.
Nov, if the two other sons of the d.
ceased will attend to my words for mt
ment l will state that under the eXis
ing circumstances feel
my duty to call jul
and hold an inquest over Mr.. Gillespie
remains. The phial smelling of pruss
acid having been found in the dining
room, I shall only require restraint pr
upon the movements of the two sons =.
Mr. Gillespie who are known to have Ell
tered this room during the hour when tn
fatal dose was administered. The OF
called Alfred, having remained above,
for the present free from suspicion.
would be glad to show the same consit
Grafton to the others; but the facts d
mand severity which I hope future d.
velopments will allow us to confine
the guilty party. Mr.. Cultivate, l mu
request you to hold yourself subject
my summons. Miss Meredith, I advi
you to hold no communication with 20
cousins till this matter showes a clear
aspect"
He was moving off, when Alfred. wi
had been shifting uneasily under George
eye. stepped up to him and said:
81 don't want any discrimination ma
between my brothers and myself. I M
be quite conscious of my own innocenc
but cannot accept any show of favo
founded on a misconception. If Geor
and Leighton are to be, subjected to SUI
l..