Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-02-06
smoothin' out would show same q.
Lo-,J ha oS

of the court, and he certainly didn't
fy." DIR. Hood retorted. you gave
me some good ideas that helped lot
| when Jim Hicks was found dead in
| the swamp, and again when old Mrs.
Beckley was murdered in her barn,
and 1 always thought you had the
makings of detective yourself,
Geoff, for all you're slow thinking.
Come On out front a minute: l want
to tell you a theory Of mine about
this case and see how 1t strikes
| YOU"
They passed out of the broad en-
| trance doors and down the steps to
| the driveway, where they halted and
| looked about them, but no one was
| in sight.
.Td like to hear It. Doc. This Is
one o. the doggonedest things / ever
see." responded Geoff. Il amt
| heard no weepin' and wailin' about
1t, either. not from anybody.
The doctor darted another quick
glance at him.
Sometimes folks think more Of
your life insurance and your will
than they do of your company" he
commented dryly. That's how
size this situation up 80 far. and
men that fight their way through
TO success are bound to leave few
scars and bruises behind them. Now,
suppose Bernhard was sitting there
smoking on that bench last night
and some one he knew well, or per-
haps even expected came through
the terrace doors and joined him.
Suppose they had a heavy hammer
or a short iron bar or some other
weapon hidden under their coat,
waiting for chance to brain him
with it; suppose they dropped some
thing on purpose behind the bench
and got up and went around to get
1t and he, not suspecting anything,
didn't turn his head, but maybe even
dropped it forward a little on his
chest, as though he were thinking.
II the blow was struck then and
the murderer went out through the
terrace doors, leaving them wide
open behind him-There's something
we haven't taken into consideration
that would have helped him by WHIP
ing out his footprints on that sanded
. floor, Geoff, and 1t could only have
done 1t in that one place in all the
| court; the night breeZe.'
DIR. Hood paused with an uncon-
sciously dramatic effect, but his
companions expression did not
change. He stared straight before
! him in stolid reflection and his
thumbs sought the straps OF his
overalls and crooked there.
well, Doc" he vouchsafed at last,
II don't aim to put forward my opin-
ion, but since you're askin' me for
1t. the wind last night was from the
south, not the north that those ter
race doors open out on: and, If 1t had
a-been north how could it have got
under and behind that bench to blow
away the footprints there, too, if the
Teller walked around it? Then why
would 1t wipe out his footprints and
leave Benkard's there in front of the
bench, where we both seen 'em as
plain as day? The rest of it seems a
likely enough idea--"
ITS the only ONE" the doctor in
terrupted. nettled in spite of his ha-
bitual good nature by the unen-
thusiastic reception of his theory.
mo matter which way the wind was
from, q little scurry of breeze was
likely to swirl in at the open door
and just by chance scatter the sand
and smooth over the footprints in
, that one spot. leaving a space a few
inches away undisturbed. It's tie
only explanation for there being none
visible this morning. and the murder
err may not have gone around be-
hind the bcnch-that's n mere de-
tail. tell you, Geoff, you'll find
that I've hit it before this case is
finished"
Il amt got no idees about it
tall" admitted Geoff. Reckon
you're right about my bein' slow
thinkin." Doc. Seems to me- though,
that. no matter how rich and sue
cessful I'd be. I'd want somethin,
even dog. to grieve when my time
come TO be took. Who do you
s'pose is a-Comin' in Hanks jitney?
He amt driv' so fast since the Town
Hall burned over to the Corners"
a dilapidated small car came at a
wild pace up the driveway, swinging
from side to side. and the two
spectators hoped nimbly out of its
way as 1t drew up before the steps
with a clatter.
Hello, Doc" the youthful driver
cried. eagerly. Flows things? Any
news"
But DR.. Hood was present on off
cial business. and he merely nodded
to his interrogation and stepped for
ward to intercept the single passen-
ger who alighted. Geoff retreated to
the shadow of the entrance hall.
I'm the medical examiner in
charge. What's your business here,
sir"
The newcomer was frail, slender,
stoop- shouldered man. who seemed
prematurely aged. He hesitated. be-
wildered. and the face he turned to
the doctor showed deep, furrowed
lines. while he blinked nearsightedly
in the sunlight
Il am William Dunn. Mr.. Benk
ards private secretary. Mrs. Cayley
sent for me-" His voice was low
and tremulous, and it was obvious
that he was laboring under great
agitation. if not some deeper emo
ton II have been given to UNDER
stand that Mr.. Bernhard isis"
He seemed unable to continue,
and the doctor replied gravely:
mfr. Bernhard was found dead this
morning. and it looks like foul play.
Mrs. Cayley is engaged just now,
but come this way, there are some
questions l want to ask you. Mr..
Dunn"
Foul play" The others jaw
dropped. 81 was only told of-of sud-
den death. Can it be true that after
all these years."
They were passing Geoff in the en-
trance hall now as the doctor led the
way'to the dining room, and he saw
the sudden glistening of the secre-
tary's faded eyes.
"You have been a long time with