The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1921-03-03
CHAPTER XIII.
An Inaues-and Some Explanations.

An lnquest-snd Some Explanations.
The inquest party consisted Of the
coroner. who was the doctor that had
already attended Allan: Sergeant
Grey six Jurors. selected from the
townSpeople the manager OF the bank
whose suspicious had first been com
inundated to Grey: Trayers, and Gar
diner. In the early morning the 20
lceman had ridden out to the ranch
for Gardiner. but had met him on his
way to town. News OF the tragedy
had reached him. he said. and he was
hurrving In to see II he could be- Of
some assistance TO Trayers In arrang-
Ing for a lawyer, or In any way that
might be practicable. Grey told him
that as yet no formal charge had been
laid against Trayers. that he was
merely held pending the finding OF
the coroner's jury. and suggested that
II Gardiner would accompany him to
the inquest he might he able, not only
TO throw some light on Trayers' char
acter. but also on his whereabouts on
the night OF the tragedy. To this
Gardiner readily agreed.
IL was noon when the party reached
the Arthurs' ranch. They swung into
the yard amid cloud of dust. the
Jingle OF trappings and the hearty ex-
change OF greetings between Arthurs
and his acquaintances from town.
Gardiner was introduced 20 Arthurs.
and shook hands without removing his
gauntlets Then the rancher walked
over and shook hands with Travers.
There were no signs Of handcuhs
now. and an outsider would not have
known that the young mans position
differed from that Of the others pres
ent.
After the meal Gardiner Joined them
again, and the party. which now In
cluded Arthurs and Harris. proceed
ell up the valley to the scene OF the
tragedy. II was great shock TO Har-
ris TO find that the victim OF Adams
gun was his old neighbor. Rlles. He
stood for a long time as one daZed by
the discovery. but gradually out OF
the confusion IA horrible fear took
this man. with whom they had an ap
pointment at this spot; had shot him
down, ms far as could be shown. with
out excuse or proyocation, before he
had so much AS entered the door. The
body proved to be unarmed, and from
Its position had evidently fallen into
the building after receiving the fatal
charge.
Harris evidence was first received.
He found Il difficult to give his story
connectedly. but Item by item he told
OF his acquaintance with Rifles I'm the
come west aud take IN more land: of
the chance by which they had fallen
la with Gardiner, and the prospect he
had laid before them of more profita-
BILE returns from another form OF In
yestmeut; OF how his hesitation had
finally been overcome by the sassur-
ance that all he need do was have his
money ready-he was to be under no
obligation to 20 any further In the
transaction unless entirely satisfied;
OF the offer wired by the New York
capitalists; Of the sale Of his farm
for a disappointing sum, and their
Journey with the money TO the old
shanty up the valley. where they were
TO be met by Rifles and Gardiner. and
also. as they expected. by the owner
OF the mine. with whom they would
open direct negotiations. producing
the money AS proof Of their desire and
ability TO carry out their undertaking;
Of how they hoped the owner would
be induced to accept deposit and &C
company them back 70 town, where an
option would be secured from him for