The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-05-10

VT Oi tucSc tWO Wltil lue ITdS0uy. I1e' knew Willard had not been in the house at the time of the murder, and Miss Morton, as he had chanced to discover, had occupied the room on the third floor. Moreover, it was absurd on the face of things to fancy well-hred middle-aged lady steal- ing downstairs at dead of night to kill her charming young hostess!
 It was with a, sense of satisfaction therefore that Fessenden assured himself that he had formed no sus- picions whatever, and could listen with a mind entirely prejudiced tG such evidence as the coroner's inquiry might bring forth.
 He was even glad that he had not discussed the matter further with kitty French. He still thought she had clear vision with good judgment. but he had begun to realize that in her presence his own clearness of vision was dazzled by her dancing eyes and certain distracting charm which he had never before observed in any woman.
 But he told himself somewhat sternly that feminine charm must not be allowed to interfere with the pres ent business in hand, and he seated himself at considerable distance from Kitty French, when it was time for the inquest.
 A slight delay was occasioned by waiting for Coroner Benson's own stenographer, but when he arrived the inquiry was at once begun.
 At the request of Miss Morton, or it might rather be said, at her com mand, the whole assembly had moved to the drawing room, it being much larger and more airy apartment, and withal less haunted by the picture of the tragedy itself.
 in a room gay with wedding decora- tions was almost, if not quite, as ghastly.
 But Coroner Benson paid no heed to emotional considerations and con- ducted himself with the same air oi justice and legality as if he had been in court room or the town hall.
 As for the jury, he had gathered the half-dozen men, though filled with righteous indignation at ths crime committed in their village wasted no thought on the incongruitJ of their surroundings.
 Coroner Benson put his first ques, ton to Mrs. Msrkham. as he con. sidered her, in a way at least, the present head of the household. Te ke sure, the house now legally be Ionged to Miss Morton, and that lady was quickly assuming an added air ol importance which was doubtless the result of her recent inheritance; bu Mrs. Markham was still housekeeper and by virtue of her long association with the place, MT. Benson chose te treat her with exceeding courtesy ana 
 deference.
 But Mrs. Markham, though nov quite composed and willing to an swer questions. could give no evi dence of any importance, She testi fled that she had seen Madeleine las at about ten o'clock the night before This was after the guests who ha( been at dinner had gone away, ant the house guests had gone to thei rooms. Miss Van Norman was alone | in the library, and as Mrs. Markham left her she asked her to send Cicel. I Dupuy to the library. Mrs. Markham had then gone directly to her owi room, which was on the second floor above the drawing-room. It was a the front of the house, and the room l behind it, also. over the long drawing l room, was the one now devoted t, gifts. Mrs. Markham had retired al
 most mmediately and had heard m
 unusual sounds. She explained, how
 ever, that she was somewhat deaf | and had there been any disturbanc downstairs it was by no means prob | able that she would have heard it. What was the first intimation yo, l had that anything had happened? :? asked MT. Benson.
 | kitty French came to my doc | and called to me. HeA excited voic
 made me think something was wrong
 and, dressing hastily, I came down
 stairs, to find many of the househol
 already assembled"
 l "And then you went into the lib 1 rary?"
 ''Yes; I had no idea Madeleine wa
 dead. I thought she had tainted, an
 I went toward her at once." 1 Did you touch herr" "Yes; and saw at once she wa not living, but Miss Morton said per l haps she might be, and then she tele phoned for Doctor Hills" "Can you tell me if the house carefully locked at night?"
 'It is, am sure; but it is not i my province to attend to it.''
 Whose duty is it?'
 'That of Harris, the butler"
 twill you please call Harris a | N6r N%o,oa R,,o1;t