Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-02-05

more unfeignedIy agitated. and the
doctor took up a fresh topic.
"Mr. Bernhard seemed in the best
af health and spirits. Has he told
you OF any difficulty or antagonism
he may have encountered in his
business lately"
He has never discussed his pro-
posed financial deals with me; only
lmy own affairs, of which he has as
sumed complete charge for several
years. 1 am quite sure that he has
experienced no business difficulties,
but Mr.. Lane will be better able to
tell you about that" She paused
and then went on: Il called him
up at his rooms in town Immediately
after telephoning to you, and. al
! though he was inexpressibly shock
cd, OF course, he promised to come
out as quickly as his car could bring
him. He Is going to leave word for
Mr.. Benkard's secretary. Mr.. Dunn,
to follow at once and also notify
our family lawyer. Mr.. Newbury. |
Il felt that my daughter and j,
alone out here with our guest, would
need the support and assistance of
| my brothers friends and associates
in this terrible hour"
You acted wisely, Mrs. Cayley."
DIR. Hood readjusted his spectacles
with which he had been meditativeIy
| tapping the table, and rose. Il need
, not caution you that the news of
this affair will travel wide and fast,
and you will have a crowd OF city
| reporters out here in no time. 1t
| would be better not TO have any
| of your household make statement,
at least until the detective from the
| county seat comes to take charge of
! the case. My own investigate as
medical examiner will be separate,
Of course. but I'll try to keep you
from being bothered any more than
l can help"
Il am sure you will, doctor" Mrs.
| Cayley rose also, and once more her
handkerchief went to her eyes. The
loss Of my brother would have been
grief enough TO endure, but to have
| the end come in such sudden,
| hidcous fashion--to know that the
one who Is responsible for 1t Is at
| large and that we must all be sub
jected to this horrible notoriety and
disgrace Is almost more than I can
face. / must try to be brave,
though, for my little daughters
| sake"
THAT is right" the doctor agreed
soothingly. BY the way, / should
like to see your daughter now for
a minute, if | may"
! But she can tell you nothing."
| Mrs. Cayley's hands frightened sud-
| denly until the wisp of lace and
| linen between her fingers was rip
! ped asunder. Mildred is just child
y, and she is hysterical over this
tragedy which has come upon us. 1t
would be waste of valuable time,
assure you. DOCTOR, and needless
| torture for her at present in her I'M
nerved condition"
I'm sorry, ma am, but you'll have
TO realize that every one in this
| house, every one who was here last
night or in any way connected with
J Mr.. Bernhard will have to be ques-
| toned The note of authority
sounded once more in Dr.. Hoods
tones. but before Mrs. Cayley could
cXpostulate further, the hum of n
| swift driven car sounded from the
driveway. and she hurried out into
=, the patio to the great front entrance
doors. which she flung wide.
"Oh, 1t is MI. Lane. | hardly
dared hope for your coming so soon.
but | cannot tell YOU what it means
to ne to have you here-and to
| Mildred. too"
Stoneham Lane leaped from his
car, and tearing off his goSgled cap,
he flung it aside and held out both
hands to her. He was man in. the
early forties. faultlessly groomed,
and undcniably good-loolling. al
| though his face was pallid now and
his eyes haggard.
Dear lady, | found 1t hard to be
licvc-indeed. can scarcely realize
| yet that your terrible message is
| true he exclaimed. Il have Il
| summons for speeding in my pocket
| and very nearly ditChed the car be-
sides. but | came as quickly as
could Tell me. in heavens name,
that there has been some frightful
mistake. that Joe has merely been
injured in some way-----."
He has been dead since-sincc al
most midnisht;" Mrs: Cayley gave
| him her hands. and then added
quickly. This is Dr. Hood. tho
medical examiner. lie will tell you
what details we know and he wants
tn talk to YOU. | believe. ! will see
YOU later. but now IL am too much
oVcrcome----,"
The doctor sravely acknowledged
| the introduction.
None of the trio observed tho
| figure in ovcralls, who had followed
from the patio where he had been
unobtrusvely hanging about the
| library door. and who now Gisap-
|
house in the direction of the
terrace shaking his bead perp!cXed-
lN. lie had just seated himself on
the heap of plaster stained boards.
| when youthful figure in n pedes-
| TRAN suit, with his dark. curly head
bare. and his boyish face pale be-
meath its healthy coat of tan. bound
cd up the stone steps from the
| leach.
Hello. Goofr. 1t isn't true, what
they're saying around the Cove that
| Mr.. Bernhard is dead. That he was
murdered in the night"
Reckon that's about the size o. it
| Mr.. Ashc,' Gcoff responded. produc-
ing his pipe. Doe Hoods here nov.
and TIE constable. and that city
friend q Mr.. Benkard's Just came
tearin' out in his car. that sporty
lookin' fe'ler Lane"
Good Lord" The young man
| seated himself heavily beside the
mason and pulled out handkerchief
to wipe his brow. which had sud
denly grown damp. where was he
found: Who did it. Geoff? Are YOU
| sure there's no mistake about ii, that
ii was actually murder?"
He was lynn right in front O. that
bench YOU see just inside them
doors. and | was the first to see him
this mornin' after Henry Carp and
Lefty. Dunno who done il, but unless
he could bash the back o his own
| head in like a ton q brick fell on
Kim. II was murder, all right"
But who---
That's what Doc Hood and Zeke
/ Foster are here to find out and
they've sent for some smart aleck
District Attorneys Teller to help EN-
| Geoff filled and lighted his pipe