The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-01-04
Chapter 81
Inquest Rehearsal

the bath directly into the
haH," Lieutenant Gregory ex-
planned patiently. "Or rather the
bath opens into kind of dressing
room or closet or something
which opens into the hall. Mrs.
Benedict seems to have occupied
the only room with bath from
which you can go directly to the
hail." He gave me one of his
searching looks, as though trying
to decide whether / might have
had some Interior motive in as
signing Eve that particular room.
There was nothing strange
about that" I felt called upon to
explain. at is the room formerly
occupied by my grandparents. /
hadn't meant to use it, unless
perhaps for Aunt Maggie--until
Eve came unexpectedly. My
grandfather had the door cut be-
cause he liked to get up early,
and in this way he could dress in
the bathroom and leave without
disturbing my grandmother by
passing back through the room"
II see," Lieutenant Gregory
nodded. "And you. Mrs. Stuart
did you also go calling on Mrs.
Benedict after lunch?"
I'm sorry" I told him, "but
suppose l have what you call an
alibi Anyway, ! have not been
alone for one moment since lunch.
! was with Alice and Kirk in the
library-in this room, that is
until Mr.. Marshall came to tell
me about-about Bill"
Mr.. Marshall cleared his throat.
Lieutenant, he asked, doesn't
this second murder make it plain
enough to you that Mr.. Stuart is
not guilty of the charge you have
made against him?"
what charger" Bob asked
quickly, and | realized with a
little shock that all our guests
were not yet aware of the fact
that Bill was Lieutenant Greg
ory's number-one suspect for the
first murder.
"Just a little charge of homi-
eide" my red-headed husband
explained bitterly. "IIe thinks I
killed Aunt Maggie"
Lieutenant Gregory waited for
the EXPLANATIONS and calculations
TO subside. 81 canno. see how the
situation has changed with Mrs.
Benedict's DEATH" he said, lex
cept that 1t is plain | am going
to have to take you all one by
one to thresh this thing out. No
body's told all he knows yet" He
paused, looked over at Mr.. Dod-
son and asked, "Any suggestions.
Coroner"
mot at the moment" Mr.. Dod-
son answered. Il was going to ask
you to let me try a little plan
of my own, but perhaps it would
be best to go on with your indi-
vidual questioning"
What was your plan?" Lieu
tenant Gregory asked. bit tes-
tily.
1--WE can still try it If nothing
definite has developed when you
have finished" Mr.. Dodson ex-
planned. II should like to hold
what might be considered q sort
of inquest rehearsal. My idea
would be to assemble all the sur
viving members of the house
party and the servants in this
room, question each briefly and
let him or her testify with regard
10 the two murders"
IAN inquest rehearsal" Lieu
tenant Gregory repeated doubt
fully. while looks of CONSERVATION
spread around the room. with
everybody under oath, just as
they would be at the inquest?
What's the use. IL you are going
TO have to hold an inquest, any
way"
al believe this will obviate the
necessity of a formal inquest"
said Mr. Dodson quietly.
"You mean you believe the
murderer will confeSs?"
81 should like to discuss that
with YOU privately" Mr.. Dodson
replied.
Protest
THE storm broke then, with
Il everybody demanding to know
IL we hadn't been through enough
without having TO submit TO an
unnecessary third degree. Bob
was especially reSentfil. My sis
ter cannot stand much more OF
this" he told Lieutenant Gregory.
And knowing Alice. ! thought il
quite likely that she might at any
moment fling fit and fall In il, as
Bessie would say. Certainly I had
had all of Aliee's dramatics that
I cared for.
think Lieutenant Gregory was
OF half mind 10 refuse Mr.. Dod-
sons request until he saw how
distasteful the idea was 10 every
one else. Bob had Just asked
whether such a proceeding was
legal and Kirk had said he was
less concerned over that point
than whether it was really neces-
sary.
''Of course. We all want the sit
uasion cleared I'D. but il does
seem 20 me we have had rather q
lot OF crosS-examination already.
Kirk added.
How do you thing such situa-
tons are cleared up9" Lieutenant
Gregory asked grizzly.
Il think" said Mr.. Marshall