Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-01-26
AND HERE II CONTINUES
CHAPTER XI
The Coroper's Inquest

The COr0per's Inquest
TF KIRBY had been playing his own
i hand only he would have gone to the
police and told them he was the man
who had been seen leaving the Paradox
Apartments By the fire. escape. But
he could not do this without running
the risk Of duplicating Wild Rose. Awk-
ward questions would be fred at him
that be could not answer. He decided
to surrender himself. If the police
rounded him up he could not help It I;
X they did not, so much the better.
! He made two more attempts to see
! Wild Rose during the day, but he could
not find her at home. When he at last
did see her 1t was Mt the inquest, where
he had gone to learn all that he could
Of the circumstances surrounding the
! murder.
There was n risk in attending. He
recognized that. But ne was moved by
an imperative urge to find out all that
was possible of the affair. The force
that drove him was the need In his heart
TO exonerate his friend. Though he rec.
ognized the weight Of evidence against
her. he could not believe her guilty.
Under tremendous provocation It might
be In character for her to have shot his
uncle in self defense or while In extreme
anger. But all his knowledge OF her
cried out that shc could never have
chloroformed him, tied him up. then
taken his life while he was helpless.
She was too fine and loyal to her code,
too good q sportsman, far too tender
hearted. for such thing.
Yet the evidence assaulted this con-
viction Of his soul. II the Wild Rose
in the dingy courtroom had been his
friend Of the outdoor spaces, he would
have rejected as absurd the possibility
that she had killed his Uncle. But his
heart sank when he looked Mt this wan
'aced woman who came late and slipped
inconspicuousiy into a back seat, whose
eyes avoided his, who was so plainly
keyed up to q tremendously high pitch.
She was dressed in a dark-blu tailored
erge and a black sailor hat, beneath
the rim OF Which the shadows on her
face were dark.
The room was jammed with people.
Every aisle was packed, and hundreds
we're turned away. In the audience was
scattering OF fashionably dressed
women. for it was possible the inquest
night develop a sensation.
The Cnroner was short, fat little
nan with n highly developed sense OF
is importance 1t was his hour. and
we're his own. The young Assistant |
District Attorney lounging by the table
nved second fiddle. |
The first witness developed the move /
nents Of Cunnin ham during the evening |
the twenty third. /
He had dined ut the City Club, and
had left there after dinner to 60 to his |
apartment. TO Q club. member dining !
with him he bad mentioned an appoint
ment at his roome with lady.
\ rustling wave of excitement swept !
the benches. Those who had come to
seek sensations had found their frat !
thrill. Kirby drew in his breath /
sharply. He leaned forward, not to
miss a word.
did he mention the name Of the
lady. Mr.. Blanton?" asked the Coroner,
washing the backs Of his hands with
the palms.
NO"
"Or his business with her?' /
mo. But he seemed to be annoyed"
Mr.. Blanton also seemed to be an
noyed. He had considered not men
tioning this appointment, but his con-
science would not let him hide II. None
the less he resented the need Of giving
the public more scandal about fellow
club member who was dead. lie added
an explanation. My 1ceilllB WHY Luht
II was some business matter being
forced on him. Hc had been ut Colorado
Springs during tho day and probably
had been unable to see tho lady
earlier"
''Did he say so?"
Moo, not exactly
What did he say to give you that
IT don't recall his words"
"Or the substance of themf'
"No. | had the impression, very ,
strongly :. I,
The Coroner reproved him tartly.
please confine YOUR testimony to facts
md not to impressions, Mr.. Blanton. ,
DO you know AZ what time Mr.. Cum
bingham left the City Club:'
"At 3 :45."
"Precisely?'
Precisely"
"That will do. ,
Exit Mr.. Blanton from the chair ard
rom the room, very promptly and very !
agerly.
He was followed by q teller at tho
Rocky Mountain National Bank. He ,
esttfed to only two facts-that he :
now Cunningham aud that the pro-
noter had drawn $1,000 In bills on the
lay Of his death,
A tenant at the Paradox Apartments
IL Aa