Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1914-10-21

glanced about the room. nodded to
Goldberger, n hen o inQuir-
ingly at me.
This is Mr.. Lester. Commissioners
Grady" said Goldberger, and l realized
that the chief of the detective bureau
had come up from headquarters
to take personal charge of the case:
Mr. Lester is Mr.. Vantine's attorney"
the coroner added, in explanation.
Glad to know you Mr.. Lester" said
Grady, shortly.
And now, 1 guess, we're ready to
begin" went on the coroner
Not Quite,' said Grady, grimly. 1--WE
will excuse all reporters. first" and he
looked across at Godfrey, his face
darkening.
felt my own face flushing, and start
ed to protest, but Godfrey silenced me
with q little gesture.
It's all right, Lester" he said. MI.
Grady is quite within his rights. I'll
withdraw-until he sends for me-"
You'll ave a long wait. then!" re-
torted Grady, with a sarcastic laugh.
The longer l wait, the worse it will
be for you, Mr.. Grady said Godfrey
quietly, opened the door and closed it
behind him.
Grady stared after him for a moment
in crimson amazement: Then, MASTER
ing himself with an effort, he turned to
the coroner.
"All right. Goldberger," he said, and
sat down to watch the proceedings.
A very few minute sufficed for
Hughes n Freylinghuisen and l to tell
all we knew of this tragedy and of h
one which had preceded it. Grady
details of d'Aurelle's death. for he
listened without interrupting, only nod
ding from time to time.
You've got a list of servant here, of
course, Simmonds." he said, when we
had finished the story.
Him. said Grady, as he glanced it
over. Five of 'em. Know anything
about 'em?"
They've all been with Mr.. Vantine
a long time, sir" replied Simmonds.
they're all right
Which one Of 'em found Vantine's
body"
Parks, 1 think" 1 said. ut was he
who called me-"
Better lave him ill.," said Grady, and
doubled up The list n Slipped it in his
pocket.
Parks came in looking decidedly
shaky; but answered Grady's questions
clearly and concisely. He told first of
tle events OIL tne afternoon, and then
passed on to the evening.
MIR. Vantine had dinner at home,
sir" he said. cit vas served, 1 think, at
Z o'clock. He must have finished a lit
tie after 1880. 1 didn't see him, for I
was Strengthening things around up in
his room and putting his clothes away.
But he told Rogers
Never mind what he told Rogers"
broke in Grady. u tell us what you
know"
Very we'll. sir" said Parks, submits
sively. Il had q lot of work to dove
you know-and / Kept on putting things
in their places and Strengthening
around, n it must have been $3.50
when 1 heard Rogers yelling for me. I
thought the house was on fire, and /
came down in a hurry. Rogers vas
standing out there in the hall, looking
like he'd seen a ghost. He kind Of
gasped n pointed to- this room, and I
looked in and saw MI. Vantine laying
there
His voice choked on the words. but
he managed to go on. after a moment.
Then %telephoned FOR Mr.. Lester"
he added, and that's all I know"
VERY WE'LL" said Mr.. Grady. THAT'S
all for the present. send Rogers in"
Rogers face. as he entered the room.
gave me a kind Of shock. for it was that
of Il man on the verge CT hysteria. He
wa a man of about so. with iron gray
hair. n a smoth shaver face, ordin-
arily ruddy with health. But now his
face was livid. his cheeks lined and
~shrunken, his eyes blood shot and star
ing. He reeled rather than ak into
h room, one hand clutching at his
throat, as though he were choking.
Get him a chair" said Grady, and
Sfmmonds brought one forward n re-
manned standing beside it. Nov, my
man. Grady continued, you'll have to
brace up. What's the matter with you,
anyhow? Didn't you ever see a dead
man before?"
'It amt that" gasped Rogers. ut
ain't that-though I never saw a MUIR
dered man before
WHAT" demanded Grady sharply.
Didn't you see that fellow this after
noon?"
That was different" Rogers moaned.
IT didn't know him.. Besides, I thought
he'd Killed himself. We all thought So"
And you don't think vantine did,"
II know he didn't" n Rogers voice
rose to a shrill scream. 1T was that
woman done 1t! Damn her! She done
itT ! knOwed h was up to some
crooked work when I let her in!"
CHAPTER vi.
THE WOMAN IN THE CASE.
II was coming now; the secret, how
ever sordid, however ugly, was to be
unveiled. I saw Grady's face set in
hare lines: I could hear the stir Of
interest with which the others leaned
forward
Grady took a flask from his pocket
and opened 1t.