The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-11-13
CHAPTER XXI

Even in that moment or apan- donment of grief, Jack had agreed with Howell that the authorities must be summoned.
 It was now past 8. The family physician was in the study anc with him a group of men from police headquarters. A sense o1 tragedy and loss hung over the house. which only few hours before had resounded to mirtt and gaiety.
 A step away from the room where men talked in muted tones Jack sat with his mother anc brother. His arm encircled Mrs Wentworth comfortingly. Hi other arm reached out until hi hand touched the shoulder of his stepbrother lightly, compassion ately.
 'The poor kid" Jack thought He's really sunk over this. guess he loved father more thar we realized. He didn't know how to show it. He was always funny kid"
 Jill was going to take this ter. ribly hard. Dad had always pettec her so. It was kind of Miss Dexter to have waited until these harc preliminaries were over before telling Jill.
 Jacks face was drawn with sui. fering. He wanted to believe, a: his stepmother said, that hi father had died from a heart at. tack. But here was the position of the body on the rug, head up with an open wound on his head If his father had fallen and struck the andirons, he would have been lying face downward. Unless someone had moved him.
 And if someone had been with his father, who was that person? The inspector had learned that the heavy paperweight his father had used was missing. Why?
 "Mr. Wentworth" Inspector Waldrop was standing in the door TIe spoke in low voice that bore, nevertheless, a certain profess sional curtness.
 "We've reached our conclu- sions," the inspector said. We agree with Dr. Lockwood that your father died of heart failure as 8 result of shock" Jack felt his mother stiffen against him and Barry's shoulder relax a little un- der his hand.
 "But, we believe" the inspector continued, "that shock was the result of being struck suddenly by some heavy object"
 He broke off, his eyes sweeping the trio. "Tt will be necessary to question the staff of servants, and talk with members of the family also. You are the only members of the family?"
 "We three and my sister"
 "I should like to talk with your sister," Inspector Waldrop said. Routine. But necessary. You un- derstand."
 Miss Dexter, please awaken my sister," Jack spoke briefly.
 He became aware that Miss Dexter,s usually expressionless countenance was working with emotion, and that her eyes were fixed on his strangely. He seemed to read in her queer gaze strug- gle to communicate something.
 When she made no move to leave, Jack began again: Miss Dexter" And then as something clicked in his brain, wait, I'll go for Jill. I believe it would be best for me to break it to her"
 DO you mean the girl doesn't know her own father" Inspec- tor Waldrop stopped in sheer as- tonishment.
 we thought it was kinder to wait" Jack answered sternly. As he walked away, Miss Dexter got to her feet and battered after him.
 Jack whirled. Then you were trying to tell me something"
 "Oh yes, MT. Jack. You see, Miss Jill isn't in her room"
 You're sure"
 "Yes. Everything is in a whirl. She's gone"
 "She can't be!'
 She came up an hour or so after everyone had left. Everyone of course except MT. Montanne. I heard his car when it came around the drive. A long while after that I heard Miss Jill open her door. Then everything was very still. l