The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-11-13
BY
 MARY RAYMOND copuiohk ,9a1 NEA ssces inc

couldn't be sure"
 ''What time do you think 1t was when she left?"
 Close to daybreak."
 Close to daybreak. The words formed in Jacks brain duly.
 He went back to the sunroom.
 The secretary has just informed me that my sister went out early. Probably to some breakfast or
 He realized his words were fall- ing strangely, uncertainty. HeI saw amazement in his mothers eyes, a queer glint in Barry's and stark unbelief in Inspector Wal drops.
 See here, young man" the 1n- spector's voice grated. you're not hiding out your sister - for some reason"
 'Hidingl I don't know what you mean. And I'd thank you to be careful in speaking of my sister,"
 "No harm meant. But see here, this is ugly business. No time to mince words. We'll be compelled to talk with your sister,"
 She'll return presently" Jack rplied in a hollow tone.
 Jill absentl What could it mean? Why had she gone? Why of all mornings in the world should Jill have left the house when any un- usual act would be regarded with suspicion. And this was not merely unusual. It was something so be- wildering that even he-Jill's bro- ther-could find no explanation for it. Though, of course, there was one.
 He felt Inspector Waldrop's eyes on him. "Where's the telephone?" the inspector asked abruptly.
 Jack silently led the way from the room. His heart was sick within him as he passed the door of his fathers study and saw the group of men standing in sober circle, talking in low tones.
 His father, who had been so alive, so vital and dominant but yesterday, now was dead. And the household was pervaded with an atmosphere of dreadful suspicion.
 As he passed the door one of the men spoke, raising his voice a little: "It was an inside job. There's not doubt that someone who knew him we'll"
 Inspector Waldrop said gravely. T might as well be honest with you, MT. Wentworth. tried to spare your mother the shock. We're certain this is an inside job. Take that marble paperweight we found by mere accident showed in be- tween some magazines"
 T think you're all crazy" Jack mutered hoarsely. "What do you make out of that?"
 The man who cleans your fathers study is positive that it was there yesterday morning, holding down some papers," 1n- spector Waldrop replied slowly.
 Jack did not reply.
 T understand the servants come on ab out 6:30. Is that correct?"
 Generally. Sometimes later, after a party that had kept them all here very late"
 q see. We've questioned the head gardener, who apparently, is deaf, dumb and blind to every thing. But the second gardener, Willis, and his wife gave some in- formation. They were both awake at six o'clock-the time Miss Dex- ter and Mrs. Wentworth heard the sound of 8 fall, and also the time MT. Wentworth's watch stopped. It was broken by the fall. Willis and his wife say the two German police dogs wouldn't have allowed a stranger to enter the grounds without an internal racket, Is that right?".
 Jack answered slowly: "Yes, they're good watch dogs"
 Furthermore, there was some one with your father during the evening who smoked cigaret. There are cigaret ashes on the smoking stand by chair that is close to your fathers desk Close enough for the person in fit to anger to have reached out and found the marble paperweight handy. Now, MT. Montanne does- mt smoke cigarets. Neither does your father. We've learned they were in conference together"
 I'm afraid all that is mighty | flinsy evidence that dad was struck down, inspector"
 Maybe. But finally the servant who made his rounds after the ball found MT. Wentworth alone in his study. He went about set ting things in order, and he swears there were no ashes in the tray on the stand. I understand that you, your brother, and your sister do smoke cigarets."
 Barry and I-"Jack began and hesitated.
 "Your sister does not smoke!"