Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-30
CHAPTER XIV.
A CYNIC'S WILL.

TIME police superintendent's prom
ised surprise did not develop
when Mai. Gresham was called
as the first witness after the
noon recess. He told how he
had approached the garden to call on
Miss Ouerdling and had learned OF the
tragedy. Spared the humiliation of re-
vealing his unsuccessful proposal, ne
was merely asked to swear that he had
seen no suspicious characters about and
that he had no hand in the crime.
Leonard Duckworth, the next witness
testified that he had been with Evelyn
in the sitting room from the time OF
his arrival until news of the tragedy
came. He mentioned the figure seen
crossing the garden and told Of the ar
rival of the doctor and police. Admitting
his engagement to Evelyn, Duckworth
said that, though Miss Querdling had
threatened to disinherit Evelyn on heI
marriage, he had told her he could sup
port his wife without help.
After Duckworth had formally sworn
his innocence of the crime, the servants
were questioned. Ben Acres said he had
seen no one enter or leave the house OF
grounds. Ted Green, the chauffeur
again explained his work on the car and
explained his absence from the garage
to fetch the hammer. Again he told OF
the empty car he saw outside the
grounds as he hurried for the doctor.
The maids, Janet Raynes and Hetty
Smith, related their doings, the former
causing some amusement by her ad-
mission of listening to the singing. Each
swore complete innocence OF the crime
Mrs. Frater provoked laughter when
she told of leaving her bed directly tbs
doctor departed, but denied the coroner S
assertion that she had disobeyed he1
mistress
yes" insisted Burbeck. you were
told to remain in bed"
mo, sir. The mistress said stop in
bed till the doctor sees you. And
did"
The next witness was the butchers
assistant, Alfred Collect. He showed or
the plan the spot in the lane where he
and Daphne Frater met. His appoint
ment was for 9 o'clock, and, while she
had kept him waiting a few minutes, he
was home again at about 10.
did any one pass you in the lane
while you were there?"
''Noa, sir-leastways, not on foot
There wor motor car"
The car. he told the coroner, wa:
going toward the golf links. 1t wasn't
q big one, but he couldn't see who was
driving, as the lights COON on sudden
More questions we're asked, but ne
could not add to his replies. It seemed
probable that he had seen the car noted
afterward as empty by the chauffeur
Collett swore he had not been inside
the gardens and certainly had not in
jured their owner
Every one at Morrow Craig at the
time of the tragedy had been called
Stirling. who had heard the testimony,
had not been questioned, but If he had
not been on the premises at the time il
was useless TO call him.
But this was not all Mr.. Charles
Morgan was called, and well built mar
took the stand. A lawyer, he practiceo
in Bradford, but had been away and had
Just got In touch with the police. He
said that three weeks previously he hac
been sent for by his client, Miss Querd-
ling, who told him the lines on which
she wished her will drawn.
There were many charitable requests
some gifts to servants and one substan-
tial legacy" he said. Subject to these
and they represented about one-third d
the estate. everything was left in trust
to be divided equally between her two
nieces for their lives. At their death
It all went to charities. There was
however, curious and unusual condi-
ton.
They were TO adopt the name Of
Querdling. If either Of the nieces mar
ried she would Immediately forfeit al
interest under the will"