Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1915-03-20

"This," said Harcourt, looking slow
ly about the circle. at is possible
that Captain Towneshend may have
been killed by one of our members
even by someone who now sits about
this board"
All eyes were turned upon him and
an air of nervous expectancy came
over the group.
"If we do our full duty" Harcourt
continued, 1--WE cannot stop when we
have merely questioned the servants
of the club and have given our pledge
that they shall be here as well as we
when the police may so desire. What
right have we to stand by and say to
the police discover the man. Gentle
men, we are all we'll known to each
other, and | think you will not mis-
understand what l am about to say"
He paused, and taking cigarette
from his case, reached deliberately
for a match.
go on" someone said in annoy
ance.
"All of you in this room were my
guests at dinner last evening. The
others were Mr.. Henry Cornish, an
American acquaintance of Sir Thomas
Marston, and Prince Kirshin kand-
wahr, a guest of this club, introduced,
believe by Captain Towneshend, at
whose request | invited the Prince to
my dinner"
"Was Towneshend in Madras when
you served there, Sir Thomas?" Farm
dale asked quickly.
"No. He did not go out until after
my retirement" Sir Thomas answer
ed. "Why?"
81 was wondering if you knew the
Prince"
zone moment, please" cautioned
the Duke sternly. 1--WE are not here
to jump at conclusions nor to investl-
gate strangers who were with us.
What is your suggestion, Lord Har-
COURT"
If-as seems extremely probable
the murder was committed by
member of this club, that member is
unquestionably one of those who at
tended my dinner last evening" said
Harcourt. 81 would suggest, there
fore, that Prince Kandwahr and Mr..
Cornish, who are both downstairs now,
be asked to come into the room with
US, and that you sir, put fatty to each
of US upon our honor as gentlemen,
the question of our individual limo
cence or guilt"
A murmur of protest greeted the
conclusion of his sentence, and for a
brief moment the Duke looked at him
in establishment. you mean then,
Harcourt, that you have reason to
suspect one of us of this thing?" he
demanded.
81 do"
The answer came with quiet convic-
ton, more startling than his sugges-
tion had been.
GOOD Lord, Jack" Marston ex-
claimed. what on earth"
81 do not think my suggestion un-
reasonable, gentlemen" Harcourt
protested. IF innocent, no one of us
can object to declaring the fact openly
upon his honor, before us all. | am
willing to be asked and to answer
such a question myself, and earnest
ly urge all of you to do likewise
"But why" Farndale began, only
to be silenced by gesture from Har-
court.
at has been stated that / was the
last man seen with Captain Townes-
hend," he explained. This being
true, a certain amount of suspicion
naturally points to me. If do not
hesitate to answer such a question
under these circumstances, why
should you decline to do so? Your
Grace, ask that this be done, and
shall feel much relieved if the board
will consent to it."
"Since you feel that way about it.,
will submit your suggestion if you
make it as a notion" said the Duke.
Harcourt nodded and the vote was
called. There was a moments hest
fancy when the ayes were called for.
Then twelve men gave their consent,
and servant was instructed to re-
quest the attendance of Kandwahr
and Cornish.
When the man had gone, Harcourt
lit his cigarette, and staring at the
ceiling, smoked in silence. There was
an awkward hull in the conversation
and now and then someone shifted
nervously in his seat. Again the tick
ing of the great clock sounded through
the room. Several of the Governors