Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1911-12-08

vance step from his corner
IL don't know. | don't understand
these questions" was the sullen re-
ply.
You walked quickly. Does that
mean you didn't look back?"
How look back"
"Your sister lii candle in the small
room where her coat was found. This
light should have been visible from the
golf links"
Il didn't zee any light"
A few more questions followed. but
they were of minor import and aroused
less violent feeling The serious por.
tion Of the examination. if thus it
might be called. was over
The coroner glanced meaningly at
the district attorney, who, tapping
with his fingers on the table. hesitated
for moment before he finally turned
again upon Arthur Cumberland.
'You wish TO return to your sister
You are at liberty TO do so. | will trou-
bic you no more tonight Your sleigh
They watched him go, each as silent
US he. The coroner tried to speak, but
succeeded no better than the boy him
self. When the door opened under his
hand they all showed relief. but were
startled back into their former atten-
tion by his turning suddenly in the
doorway with this final remark:
what did you say about a bottle
with a special label on it being found
at our house? 1t never was. or, if it
was, some fellow has been playing you
a trick. | carried off those two bottles
myself. One you see there; the other
isl can't tell where, but didn't take
1t home. That you can bet on"
One more look, followed by a heavy
frown and low growing sound in
his th"oat-which may have been his
way Of saying goodby-and he was
gone.
A few more words. some understand
ing as to the morrow, and Sweetwater
was also gone. The district attorney
and the coroner still sat, but very little
passed between them. The clock over
head struck the hour Both looked up,
but neither moved. Another fifteen
minutes; then the telephone rang. The
coroner rose and lifted the receiver.
The message could be heard by both
gentlemen in the extreme quiet Of this
midnight hour.
"Dr. Perry?
Yes; I'm listening"
'He came in at a quarter to u,
greatly agitated and very white. l ran
upon him in the lower hall. and he
looked angry enough to knock me
down, but he simply let out curse
and passed straight up to his sisters
room. | waited till he came out; then
I managed to get hold of the nurse,
and she told me this queer tale:
"He was all In a tremble when he
came in, but she declares he had not
been drinking. He went Immediately
to the bedside, but his sister was
asleep, and he didn't stay there. but
went over where the nurse was and
began to hang about her till suddenly
she felt twitch at her side and. look
ing quickly, saw the little book she
carries there falling back into place.
He had lifted 1t and probably read
what she had written in it during his
absence.
"She was displeased, but he laughed
when he saw that he had been caught
and said boldly: You are keeping a
record Of my sisters rawlings. Well. l
think I'm as interested In them as you
are and have as much right as you to
read as you to write She made no
answer, for they were innocent enough,
but she'll keep the book away from
him after this-of that you may be
sure"
And what is he doing now? Is he
going into his own room tonight?"
mo. He went there, but only to
bring out his pillows. He will sleep in
the alcove."
DRINK
mo, not a drop. He has ordered
the whisky locked up. hear him
moaning sometimes to himself, as If
he missed 1t awfully, but not thin
bleful has left the decanter."
Good night, Hexford."
"Good night"
"You heardr' This to the district at.
torney.
Every word"
Both went for their overcoats. Only
on leaving did they speak again, an6
then 1t was to say:
"At 10 O'Clock tomorrow morning."
"At 10 o'clock"