第4章
CHAPTERVIII
THEINQUEST
CoronerPenfieldadjustedhiseyeglassesandscannedthespectatorsgatheredfortheTurnbullinquest。Theroomwascrowdedwithbothmenandwomen，thelatterpredominating，andthecoronerdecidedthat，whilesomehadcomefromapersonalinterestinthedeadman，themajorityhadbeenattractedbymorbidcuriosity。Therewasastiramongthespectatorsasaninnerdooropenedandthejury，ledbythemorguemasterfiledintotheroomandtooktheirplaces。
CoronerPenfieldroseandaddressedtheforeman。
"Haveyouviewedthebody？"heinquired。
"Yes，doctor，"andthemansatdown。
CoronerPenfieldthenconciselystatedthereasonfortheinquestandsummonedOfficerO’Ryantothewitnessstand。Thepolicemanstood，capinhand，whilebeingswornbythemorguemaster，andthentookhisplaceontheplatforminthechairreservedforthewitnesses。
HisanswertoCoronerPenfield’squestionsrelativetohisname，residenceinWashington，andlengthofserviceinthecityPoliceForceweregivenwithbrevityandarichIrishbrogue。
"WherewereyouonTuesdaymorningataboutfiveo’clock？"askedPenfield，firstconsultingsomememorandaonhisdesk。
"Onmywayhome，"explainedO’Ryan。Myreliefhadjustcome。"
"DoesyourbeattakeintheMcIntyreresidence？"
"Itdoes，sir。"
"Didyouobserveanyoneloiteringinthevicinityoftheresidencepriortofiveo’clock，Tuesdaymorning？"
"No，sir。ItwasonlywhentheladycalledtomethatIwasattractedtothehouse。"
"Didshestatewhatwasthematter？"
"Yes，sir。Shesaidthatshehadlockedaburglarinacloset，andtocomeandgethim，andIdidso，"andO’Ryanexpandedhischestwithanairofsatisfactionasbeglancedaboutthemorgue。
"Didtheburglarresistarrest？"
"No，sir;hecameverypeaceablyandnotawordoutofhim。"
"Hadyouanyideathattheburglarwasnotwhatheseemed？"
"Devilanidea，beggingyourpardon—O’Ryanrememberedhastilywherehewas。"Theburglarlookedtheparthewasmasquerading，andhismake—upwasperfect，"endedO’Ryanwithrelish。"Nevergavemeahinthewasagentlemanandabankcashierindisguise。"
Kent，whohadarrivedatthemorgueafewminutesbeforethepolicemancommencedhistestimony，smiledinspiteofhimself。Hewasfeelingexceedinglylowspirited，andhadcometotheinquestwithinwardforebodingastoitsresult。Onwhatdevelopedthere，heWasconvinced，hungJimmieTurnbull’sgoodname。AfterhisinterviewwithDetectiveFergusonthatmorning，hehadwiredPhilipRochestertoreturntoWashingtonatonce。Hehadrequestedanimmediatereply，andhadfullyexpectedtofindatelegramathisofficewhenhestoppedthereonhiswaytothemorgue，butnonehadcome。
"WhomdidyouseeintheMcIntyrehouse？"thecoroneraskedO’Ryan。
"Noonesir，excepttheburglarandMissMcIntyre。"
"Didyoufindanydoorsorwindowsunlocked？"
"No，sir;Ineverlookedtosee。"
"Whynot？"
"Becausetheyoungladysaidthatshehadbeenoverthehouseandeverythingwasthenfastened。"O’Ryanlookedanxiouslyatthecoroner。Wouldhemakehimoutderelictinhisduty？ItwouldseriouslyaffecthisstandingontheForce。"ItookMissMcIntyre’swordforthehouse，forIhadtheburglarsafeunderarrest。"
"HowdidMissMcIntyreappear？"
"Appear？Sure，shelookedverysweetinherbluewrapperandherhairdownherback，"answeredO’Ryanwithemphasis。
"Shewasnotfullydressedthen？"
"No，sir。"
"WasMissMcIntyrecomposedinmannerordidsheappearfrightened？"
askedPenfield。ItwasoneofthequestionswhichKenthadexpected，andhewaitedwithintenseinterestforthepoliceman’sreply。
"Shewasverypaleand—andbreathlesslike。"O’Ryanflappedhisarmsaboutvaguelyinhisendeavortodemonstratehismeaning。"Shekeptbeggingmetohurryandgettheburglaroutofthehouse，andaftertellingherthatshewouldhavetoappearinthePoliceCourtfirstthingthatmorning，Iwentoffwiththeprisoner。"
"Weretherelightsinthehouse？"questionedPenfield。
"Onlydimonesinthehallsandtwobulbsturnedoninthelibrary;
it’sabigroomthough，andtheyhardlymadeanylightatall，"
explainedO’Ryan;hewasparticularastodetails。"Iusedhandcuffsontheprisoner，thinkingmaybehe’dgivemetheslipinthedimlight，buttherewasnofightorflightinhim。"
"Didhetalktoyouonthewaytothestationhouse？"
"No，sir;andatthestationhewasjustasquiet，onlyansweredthequestionsthedesksergeantputtohim，andthatwasall，"
stated0’Ryan。
Penfieldlaiddownhismemorandumpad。"Allright，O’Ryan;youmayretire，"andatthewordsthepolicemanlefttheplatformandtheroom。HewasfollowedbythepolicesergeantwhohadbeenondeskdutyattheEighthPrecinctonTuesdaymorning。HistestimonysimplycorroboratedO’Ryan’sstatementthattheprisonerhaddoneandsaidnothingwhichwouldindicatethathewasotherthanheseemed—ahousebreaker。
CoronerPenfieldpausedbeforecallingthenextwitnessanddrankaglassoficewater;theweatherhadturnedunseasonablyhot，andtheroominwhichinquestswereheld，wasstifling，inspiteofthelongopenedwindowsateitherend。
"CallMissHelenMcIntyre，"Penfieldsaidtothemorguemaster，andthelattercrossedtothedoorleadingtotheroomwheresatthewitnesses。Therewasinstantcraningofneckstocatchaglimpseofthesocietygirlaboutwhom，withhertwinsister，somuchinterestcentered。
Helenwasextremelypaleassheadvanceduptheroom，butKent，watchingherclosely，wasrelievedtoseenoneofthenervousnesswhichhadbeensomarkedattheirinterviewthatmorning。Shewasdressedwithfastidioustaste，andasshemountedtheplatformafterthemorguemasterhadadministeredtheoath，CoronerPenfieldroseand，withapolitegesture，indicatedthechairshewastooccupy。
"IamHelenMcIntyre，"sheannouncedc1ear1y。"DaughterofColonelCharlesMcIntyre。"
"TellusthecircumstancesattendingthearrestofJamesTurnbull，aliasJohnSmith，inyourhouseonTuesdaymorning，MissMcIntyre，"
directedthecoroner，seatinghimselfathistable，onwhichwerewritingmaterials。
"Iwassittinguptoletinmysister，whohadgonetoadance，"
shebegan，"andfearingIwouldfallasleepIwentdownintothelibrary，intendingtositinoneofthewindowrecessesandwatchforherarrival。AsIenteredthelibraryIsawafigurestealacrosstheroomanddisappearinsideacloset。Iwasveryfrightened，buthadsenseenoughlefttocrosssoftlytotheclosetandlockthedoor。"Shepausedinherrapidrecitalanddrewalongbreath，thencontinuedmoreslowly：
"IhurriedtothewindowandacrossthestreetIsawapolicemanstandingunderalamp—post。Ittookbutaminutetocallhim。Thepolicemanopenedtheclosetdoor，puthandcuffsonMr。Turnbullandtookhimaway。"
CoronerPenfield，aswellasthejurors，followedherstatementwithabsorbedattention。Atitsendhethrewdownhispencilandspokebrieflytothedeputycoroner，whohadbeenbusilyengagedintakingnotesoftheinquest，andthenheturnedtoHelen。
"Youheardnosoundbeforeenteringthelibrary？"
"Noonewalkingaboutthehouse？"hepersisted。
"No。"Shefollowedthenegativewithashortexplanation。"Ilaydownonmybedsoonafterdinner，notfeelingverywell，andsleptthroughtheearlyhoursofthenight。"
"Atwhathourdidyouwakeup？"
"Aboutfouro’clock，oralittleafter。"
"Thenyouwereawakeanhourbeforeyoudiscoveredthesupposedburglarinyourlibrary？"
"Y—yes，"Helen’shesitationwasfaint。"Aboutthatlengthoftime。"
"Andyouheardnounusualsoundsinthathour’sinterval？"
"Iheardnothing"—hermannerwasslightlydefiantandKent’sheartsank;ifhehadonlythoughttowarnhernottoantagonizethecoroner。
"Wherewereyouduringthathour？"
"Lyingdown，"promptly。"Then，afraidIwoulddropofftosleepagain，Iwentdownstairs。"
CoronerPenfieldconsultedhisnotesbeforeaskinganotherquestion。
"Wholivesinyourhousebesideyouandyourtwinsister？"heasked。
"Myfather，ColonelMcIntyre;ourhouseguest，Mrs。LouisC。
Brewster，andfiveservants，"shereplied。"Grimes，thebutler;
Martha，ourmaid;Jane，thechambermaid;Hope，ourcook;andThomas，oursecondman;thechauffeur，Harris，thescullerymaid，andthelaundressdonotstayatnight。"
"WhowereathomebesideyourselfonMondaynightandearlyTuesdaymorning？"
"MyfatherandMrs。Brewster;Ibelievetheservantswereinalso，exceptThomas，whohadaskedpermissiontospendthenightinBaltimore。"
"MissMcIntyre？"CoronerPenfieldputthenextquestioninanimpressivemanner。"Ondiscoveringtheburglarwhydidyounotcallyourfather？"
"Myfirstimpulsewastodoso，"sheansweredpromptly。"ButonleavingthelibraryIpassedthewindow，sawthepoliceman，andcalledhimin。"Sheshotakeenlookatthecoroner，andaddedsoftly，"Thepolicemanwasqualifiedtomakeanarrest;myfatherwouldhavehadtosummononehadhebeenthere。"
"Quitetrue，"acknowledgedPenfieldcourteously。"Now，MissMcIntyre，whydidtheprisonersoobliginglywalkstraightintoaclosetonyourarrivalinthelibrary？"
"Ipresumehewaslookingforawayoutoftheroomandblunderedintoit，"sheexplained。"Therearesevendoorsopeningfromourlibrary;theprisonermayhaveheardmeapproaching，becomeconfused，andwalkedthroughthewrongdoor。"
"Thatisquiteplausible—withanordinarybona—fideburglar，"
agreedPenfield。"ButwasnotMr。Turnbullacquaintedwiththearchitecturalarrangementsofyourhouse？"
"Hewasafrequentcallerandanintimatefriend，"shesaid，withdignity。"AstohispowerofobservationandhisbumpoflocalityIcannotsay。Thelibrarywasbutdimlylighted。"
"MissMcIntyre，"Penfieldspokeslowly。"Wereyouawareoftherealidentityoftheburglar？"
"Ihadnosuspicionthathewasnotwhatheappeared，"sheresponded。
"Hesaidordidnothingafterhisarresttogivemetheslightestinklingofhisidentity。"
Penfieldraisedhiseyebrowsandshotalookatthedeputycoronerbeforegoingonwithhisexamination。
"YouknewMr。Turnbullintimately，andyetyoudidnotrecognizehim？"heasked。
"Heworeanadmirabledisguise。"Helentouchedherlipswiththetipofhertongue;inwardlyshelongedfortheglassoficewaterwhichshesawstandingonthereporters’table。"Mr。Turnbull’sassociateswilltellyouthatheexcelledinamateurtheatricals。"
Penfieldlookedathercriticallyforamomentbeforecontinuinghisquestions。Sheborehisscrutinywithcomposure。
"OfficerO’Ryanhastestifiedthatyouinformedhimyouexaminedthewindowsofyourhouse，"hesaid，afterabriefwait。"Didyoufindanyunlocked？"
"Yes;onewasopeninthelittlereceptionroomoffthefrontdoor。"
"Whatflooristheroomon？"
"Thegroundfloor。"
"Wouldithavebeeneasyforanyonetogainadmittancethroughthewindowwithoutattractingattentioninthestreet？"wasPenfield’snextquestion。
"Yes。"
"MissMcIntyre，"Penfieldrose，"Ihaveonlyafewmorequestionstoputtoyou。WhydidMr。Turnbullcometoyourhouse—ahousewherehewasawelcomevisitor—inthemiddleofthenightdisguised。asaburglar？"
Thereportersaswellasthespectatorsbentforwardtocatchherreply。
"Mr。Turnbullhadawagerwithmysister，Barbara，"sheexplained。
"Shebethimthathecouldnotbreakintothehousewithoutbeingdiscovered。"
Penfieldconsideredheranswerbeforeaddressingheragain。
"Whydidn’tMr。Turnbulltellyouwhohewaswhenyouhadhimarrested？"heasked。
Helenshruggedhershoulders。"Icannotanswerthatquestion，forIdonotknowhisreason。Ifhehadonlyconfidedinme"—hervoiceshook—"hemighthavebeenaliveto—day。"
"Howso？"Penfieldshotthequestionather。
"Becausethenhewouldhavebeensparedtheadditionalexcitementofhistriptothepolicestationandthesceneincourt，whichbroughtonhisattackofanginapectoris。"
Penfieldregardedherforamomentinsilence。
"Ihavenofurtherquestions，MissMcIntyre，"hesaid，andturnedtothemorguemaster。"AskMissBarbaraMcIntyretocometotheplatform。"Turningbacktohistableandthepapersthereonhefailedtoseethetwinspasseachotherintheaisle。TheywereidenticallyattiredandwhenCoronerPenfieldlookedagainatthewitnesschair，hestaredinsurpriseatitsoccupant。
"Ibegpardon，MissMcIntyre，Idesireyoursistertotestify，"
heremarked。
"IamBarbaraMcIntyre。"AhauntingqualityinhervoicecaughtKent’sattention，andheleanedeagerlyforward，hiseyesfollowingeachmovementofhernervousfingers，busilytwistingherglovesinsideandout。
"Ibegyourpardon，"exclaimedthecoroner，recoveringfromhissurprise。HehadseenthetwinsatthepolicecourtonTuesdaymorningforasecondonly，andthenhisattentionhadbeenentirelycenteredonHelen。Hehadheard，buthadnotrealizeduntilthatmoment，howstrikingwastheresemblancebetweenthesisters。
"MissMcIntyre，"thecoronerclearedhisthroatandcommencedhisexamination。"WherewereyouonMondaynight？"
"AtadancegivenbyMr。andMrs。CharlesGrosvenor。"
"Atwhathourdidyoureturn？"
"Ithinkitwashalfpastfiveorafewminutesearlier。"
"Wholetyouin？"
"Mysister。"
"Didyouseetheburglar？"
"Hehadleft，"sheanswered。"Mysistertoldmeofheradventureaswewentupstairstoourrooms。"
"MissMcIntyre，"Penfieldpickedupapageofthedeputycoroner’scloselywrittennotes，andranhiseyesdownit。"YoursisterhastestifiedthatJamesTurnbullwenttoyourhousedisguisedasaburglaronawagerwithyou。Whatwerethetermsofthatwager？"
"Ibethimthathecouldnotenterthehouseaftermidnightwithouthispresencebeingdetectedbyournewpolicedogs，"exclaimedBarbaraslowly。Shehadstoppedtwirlingherglovesabout，andonehandwasfirmlyclenchedoverthearmofherchair。
"Didthedogsdiscoverhispresenceinthehouse？"
"Apparentlynot，ortheywouldhavearousedthehousehold，"shesaid。
"Icannotanswerthatquestion，though，becauseIwasnotathome。"
"Wherearethedogskept？"
"Inthegarageinthedaytime。"
"Andatnight？"hepersisted。
"Theyroamaboutourhouse，"sheadmitted，"orsleepintheboudoir，whichisbetweenmysister’sbedroomandmine。
"WerethedogsinthehouseonMondaynight？"
"Ididnotseethemonmyreturnfromthedance。"
"Thatisnotananswertomyquestion，MissMcIntyre，"thecoronerpointedout。"Werethedogsinthehouse？"
Therewasadistinctpausebeforeshespoke。"Irecallhearingourbutler，Grimes，saythathefoundthedogsinthecellar。Mr。
Turnbull’sshockingdeathputallelseoutofmymind;Ineveroncethoughtofthedogs。"
"Inspiteofthefactthatitwasawageroverthedogswhichbroughtaboutthewholesituation？"remarkedthecoronerdryly。
Barbaraflushedathistone，thengrewpale。
"Ihonestlyforgotaboutthedogs，"sherepeated。"FathersentthemouttoourcountryplaceTuesdayafternoon;theyannoyedour—ourguest，Mrs。Brewster。"
"Inwhatway？"
"Bybarking—’theyarenoisydogs。"
"AndyettheydidnotarousethehouseholdwhenMr。Turnbullbrokeintothehouse—CoronerPenfieldregardedhersternly。"Howdoyouaccountforthat？"
Barbara’srighthandstoletothearmofherchairandclaspeditwiththesameconvulsivestrengththatsheclungtotheotherchairarm。Whenshespokehervoicewasbarelyaudible。
"Icanaccountforitintwoways，"shebegan。"IfthedogswereaccidentallylockedinthecellartheycouldnotpossiblyhearMr。
Turnbullmovingaboutthehouse;iftheywereroamingaboutandscentedhim，theymightnothavebarkedbecausetheywouldrecognizehimasafriend。"
"Werethedogsfamiliarwithhisstepandvoice？"
"Yes。OnlylastSundayheplayedwiththemforanhour，andlaterintheafternoontookthemforawalkinthecountry。"
"Isee。"Penfieldstrokedhischinreflectively。"Whenyoursistertoldyouoffindingtheburglarandhisarrest，didyounot，inthelightofyourwager，suspectthathemightbeMr。Turnbull？"
"No。"Barbara’seyesdidnotfalterbeforehisdirectgaze。"I
supposedthatMr。Turnbullmeanttotryandenterthehouseinhisownproperperson;itneverdawnedonmethathewouldresorttodisguise。Besides，"asthecoronerstartedtomakearemark，"wehavehadnumerousrobberiesinourneighborhood，andtheapartmenthousetwoblocksfromushashadaregularepidemicofsneakthieves。"
ThecoronerwaiteduntilDr。Mayo，whohadbeenwritingwithfeverishhaste，hadpickedupafreshsheetofpaperbeforeresuminghisexamination。
"Youaccompaniedyoursistertothepolicecourt，"hesaid。"Didyouseetheburglarthere？"
"Yes。"
"Didyourealizehisidentityinthecourtroom？"
"No。Ionlyawoketo—tothesituationwhenIsawhimlyingdeadwithhiswigremoved。Theshockwasfrightful"—sheclosedhereyesforasecond，fortheroomandtherowsoffacesconfrontingherweremixedinamaddeningmazeandsheraisedherhandtoherswimminghead。WhenshelookedupshefoundCoronerPenfieldbyherside。
"Thatisall，"hesaidkindly。"Pleaseremaininthewitnessroom，Imaycallyouagain，"andhehelpedherdownthestepwithcarefulattention。
BackinhiscornerKentwatchedherdeparture。Hewaswhitetothelips。
"Heattoomuchforyou？"askedakindly—facedstranger，andKentgaveamumbled"No，"ashestrovetopullhimselftogether。
Whatdeviltrywasafoot？Howdaredthetwinstakesuchrisks—tobearfalsewitnesswasagravecriminaloffense。He，alone，amongallthespectators，hadrealizedthatintestifyingbeforetheinquest，thetwinshadswappedidentities。
CHAPTERIX
"B—B—B"
ThereturnofthemorguemastertotheplatformcausedCoronerPenfieldtobreakoffhiswhisperedconversationwithDr。Mayo。
"ColonelMcIntyrejusttelephonedthathiscarhadablow—outonthewayhere，"explainedthemorguemaster。"Hewillarriveshortly。"
Penfieldconsultedalistofnames。"CallGrimes，theMcIntyrebutler，"hesaid。"WewillhearhimwhilewaitingfortheColonel。"
Grimes，smallandthin，withthestolidcountenanceofthewell—trainedservant，wasexceedinglyshortinhisrepliestothecoroner’squestions。Yes，hehadlivedwiththeMcIntyreduringtheirresidenceinWashington，somethinglikefiveyears，hecouldn’tquiteremembertheexactdates。No，therewasneveranyquarreling，upstairsordown;itwasawell—orderedhouseholduntilthis。
"Exactly，"remarkedthecoronerdryly。"WhataboutMondaynight？
Tellus，Grimes，whatoccurredinthathousebetweenmidnightMondayandfiveo’clockTuesdaymorning。"
"Haven’tmuchtotell，"wasthegrumpyresponse。"Iwentupstairsabouthalf—pastelevenandgotdownthenextmorningattheusualhour，seveno’clock。"
"Andyouheardnodisturbingsoundsinthenight？"
"No;sir。Wewouldn’tbelikelyto;theservants’roomsareallatthetopofthehouseandthestaircaseleadingtothemhasabrickwalloneitherside，likestairsleadingtoanordinaryattic，andthere’sadooratthebottomwhichshutsoffallsoundfrombelow。"Itwasthelongestsentencethebutlerhadindulgedinandhepausedforbreath。
"Whoclosesthehouseatnight。Grimes？"
"Ido，sir。
"Whydidyouleavethewindowinthereceptionroomopen？"
"Ididn’t，sir，"wasthepromptdenial。"IhadjustlockeditwhenMrs。Brewstercamein，alongwithColonelMcIntyreandMr。Clymer，andtheysatdowntotalk。WhenIlefttheroomthewindowwaslockedfast，andsowaseverydoorandwindowintheplace，"hedeclaredaggressively。"I’lltakemydyingoathtoit，sir。"
PenfieldlookedatGrimes;thathewastellingthetruthwasunmistakable。
"Whositsuptoletintheyoungladieswhentheygotoballs？"heasked。
"Generallynoone，sir，becauseColonelMcIntyreaccompaniesthemorcallsforthem，andhehashislatch—key。Lately，"addedGrimesasanafter—thought，"MissHelenhasbeenusingaduplicatelatch—key。"
"HasMissBarbaraMcIntyrealatch—key，also？"askedPenfield。
"No，sir，Ibelievenot，"thebutlerlookeddubious。"IrecallthatColonelMcIntyregaveMissHelenherkeyattheluncheontable，andhesaid，then，toMissBarbarathathecouldn’ttrustherwithonebecauseshewouldbesuretoloseit，sheisthatcareless。"
Thecoroneraskedthenextquestionwithsuchabruptnessthatthebutlerstarted。
"WhendidyoulastseeMr。Turnbullatthehouse？"
"Sundayafternoon。"Grimes’replywasspokenwithmorethanhisaccustomedquicknessofspeech。"Mr。Turnbullcalledtwice，afteralongtimeinthedrawingroom，hewentawaytakingthepolicedogswithhim，andlatercalledtobringthemback。"
"WherewerethesedogsonMondaynight？"
"Ilastsawtheminthelibrary，"repliedGrimesshortly。
"Andwheredidyoufindthemthenextmorning？"promptedthecoroner。
"Inthecellar，"laconically。
"Andwhatweretheydoinginthecellar？"
"Huntingrats。"
"Andhowdidthedogsgetinthecellar？"inquiredthecoronerpatiently。Grimeswasnotvolunteeringinformation，evenifhecouldnotbeaccusedofholdingitback。
"Someonemusthaveletthemdownthebackstairs，"thebutleradmitted。"Idon’tknowwhoitwas。"
"WhichservantgotdownstairsaheadofyouonTuesdaymorning？"
"Noone，sir;thecookover—slept，andsheandthemaidscamedowninabunchtenminuteslater。"
"Andwhotoldyouoftheattemptedburglaryandtheburglar’sarrest？"askedPenfield。
"MissBarbara。SheaskedustohurrybreakfastforherandMissHelen’causetheyhadtogoatoncetothepolicecourt;shedidn’tgiveanyparticulars，ornothing，"addedGrimesinaninjuredtone。
"’Twarn’t’tilThomasandIsawtheafternoonpapersthatweknewwhathadbeengoingoninourownhouse。"
"Thatisall，Grimes，"announcedPenfield，andthebutlerlefttheplatformwiththesamestolidairheworewhenhearrived。HewasfollowedinthewitnesschairbytheotherMcIntyreservantsinsuccession。Theirtestimonyaddednothingtowhathehadsaidbutsimplyconfirmedhisstatements。
Kent，whohadgrownrestlessduringtheservants’monotonoustestimony，forgottheoppressiveatmosphereoftheroomonseeingMrs。Brewsterenterundertheescortofthemorguemaster。Spyingavacantseatseveralrowsaheadofwherehewassitting，Kent，withamutteredapologytothepeopleoverwhomhecrawledinhiseffortstogetout，hurriedintoitjustasthevivaciouswidowhadfinishedtakingtheoathto"tellthetruthandnothingbutthetruth，"andseatedherself，withmuchrustlingofsilkskirtsinthewitnesschair。
"Stateyourfullname，madam，"directedCoronerPenfield，eyeingherdaintybeautywithadmiration。
"MargaretPerryBrewster，"sheanswered。"WidowofLouisC。
Brewster。BothIandmylatehusbandwerebornandlivedinLosAngeles，California。"
"AreyouvisitingtheMissesMcIntyre？"
"Yes。"Mrs。Brewsterspokeinachattyimpersonalmanner。"I
havebeenwiththemsincethefirstofthemonth。"
"DidyouattendtheGrosvenordance？"askedthecoroner。
"No;theaffairwasonlygivenforthedebutantesoflastfallanddidnotincludemarriedpeople，"sheexplained。"ItwasawarmnightandColonelMcIntyreaskedMr。BenjaminClymer，whowasdiningwithhim，andme，togoforamotorride，leavingBarbaraattheGrosvenors’enroute。Wedidso，returningtothehouseabouteleveno’clock，andsattalkinguntilaboutmidnightinthereceptionroom，thenColonelMcIntyredroveMr。Clymerhome，andIwenttomyroom。"
"Wereyouawakenedbyanynoisesduringthenight？"inquiredPenfield。
"No;Iheardnonoises。"Mrs。Brewster’scharmingsmilewasinfectious。
"WhendidyoufirstlearnofthesupposedburglaryandthedeathofJamesTurnbull？"
"TheMcIntyretwinstoldmeaboutthetragedyontheirreturnfromthepolicecourt，"answeredMrs。Brewster，andsettledherselfalittlemorecomfortablyinthewitnesschair。
"Whenyouwereinthereceptionroom，Mrs。Brewster"—Penfieldpausedandstudiedhisnotesasecond—"didyouobserveifthewindowwasopenorclosed？"
"Itwasnotopenwhenweentered，"sheresponded。"ButtheairintheroomwasstuffyandatmyrequestMr。Clymerraisedthewindow。"
"Didhecloseitlater？"
Sheconsideredthequestion。"Ireallydonotrecall，"sheadmittedfinally。Hereyesstrayedtowardthedoorthroughwhichshehadentered，andPenfieldansweredherunspokenthought。
"Justonemorequestion，"hesaidhurriedly。"DidyouseethedogsonMondaynight？"
"Yes。IheardthemscratchingatthedoorleadingtothebasementasIwentupstairs，andsoIturnedaroundandwentdownandopenedthedoorandletthemrundownintothecellar。"
Penfieldsnappedshuthisnotebook。"Iamgreatlyobliged，Mrs。
Brewster;wewillnotdetainyoulonger。"
Themorguemastersteppedforwardandhelpedtheprettywidowdownfromtheplatform。
"ColonelMcIntyreisherenow，"hetoldthecoroner。
"Ah，thenbringhimin，"andPenfield，whileawaitingthearrivalofthenewwitness，straightenedthepapersonhisdesk。
McIntyrelookedstraightaheadofhimashewalkeddowntheroomandstoodfrowningheavilywhiletheoathwasbeingadministered，buthismanner，whenthecoroneraddressedhim，hadregainedallthesuavityandpolishwhichhadfirstcaptivatedWashingtonsociety。
"IhavebeenaresidentofWashingtonforaboutfiveyears，"hesaidinanswertothecoroner’squestion。"MydaughtersattendedschoolhereaftertheirreturnfromParis，wheretheywereinaconventforfouryears。TheymadetheirdebutlastNovemberatourhomeinthiscity。"
"WereyouawareofthewagerbetweenyourdaughterBarbaraandJamesTurnbull？"askedPenfield。
"IheardofitSundayafternoonbutpaidlittleattention，"admittedMcIntyre。"MydaughterBarbara’svagariesIseldomtakeseriously。"
"WasMr。Turnbullafrequentvisitoratyourhouse？"
"Oh，yes。"
"WasheengagedtoyourdaughterHelen？"
"No。"McIntyre’sdenialwaspromptandfirmlyspoken。PenfieldandKent，fromhisnewseatnearertheplatform，watchedthecolonelnarrowly，butlearnednothingfromhisexpression。
"Ihaveheardotherwise，"observedthecoronerdryly。
"Youhavebeenmisinformed，"McIntyre’smannerwasshort。"I
wouldsuggest，Mr。Coroner，thatyouconfineyourquestionsandconjecturestomatterspertinenttothisinquiry。"
Penfieldflushedasoneofthejurorssnickered，buthedidnotrepeathispreviousquestion，askinginstead，"WastheregoodfeelingbetweenyouandMr。Turnbull？"
"Ineverquarreledwithhim，"repliedMcIntyre。"Ireallysawlittleofhimas，wheneverhecalledatthehouse，hecametoseeoneortheotherofmydaughters，orboth。"
"WhendidyoulastseeMr。Turnbull？"inquiredPenfield。
"HewasatthehouseonSundayandIhadquiteatalkwithhim，"
McIntyreleanedbackinhischairandregardedtheneatcreaseinhistrouserswithcriticaleyes。"IlastsawTurnbullgoingoutofthestreetdoor。"
"Wereyoudisturbedbytheburglar’sentranceonMondaynight？"
McIntyreshookhishead。"Iamaheavysleeper，"hesaid。"I
regretverymuchthatmydaughterHelendidnotatonceawakenmeonfindingtheburglar，asshesupposed，hidinginthecloset。I
knewnothingoftheaffairuntilGrimesinformedmeofit，andonlyreachedthepolicecourtintimetobringmydaughtershomefromthedistressingscenefollowingtheidentificationofthedeadburglarasJimmieTurnbull。"
"ColonelMcIntyre，"Penfieldturnedoverseveralpapersuntilhefoundtheonehesought。"Mrs。Brewsterhastestifiedthatwhileyouandsheweresittinginthereceptionroom，Mr。Clymeropenedthewindow。Didyoucloseitonleavingtheroom？"
McIntyrereflectedbeforeanswering。"Icannotrememberdoingso，"
hestatedfinally。"Clymerwasinratherahurrytoleave，andafterbiddingMrs。Brewstergoodnight，wewentstraightouttothecarandIdrovehimtotheSaratoga。"
"Thenyoucannotsweartothewindowhavingbeenre—locked？"
"Icannot。"
Penfieldpausedamoment。"DidyoureturnimmediatelytoyourhousefromtheSaratogaapartment？"
"Idid"promptly。"Mychauffeur，Harris，wasn’twell，andIwantedhimtogethome。"
Penfieldthoughtamomentbeforeputtingthenextquestion。
"HowdidMissBarbarareturnfromtheGrosvenordance？"heasked。
"Shewasbroughthomebyfriends，ColonelandMrs。Chase。"McIntyreinturningaboutinhischairknockeddownhiswalkingstickfromitsrestingplaceagainstitsside，andtheunexpectedclattermadeseveralwomen，nervouslyinclined，jumpintheirseats。Observingthem，McIntyresmiledandwasstillsmilingamusedlywhenPenfieldaddressedhim。
"Didyouobservemanylightsburninginyourhousewhenyoureturned？"askedPenfield。
"No，onlythosewhichareusuallyleftlitatnight。"
"WasyourdaughterHelenawake？"
"Idonotknow。HerroomwasindarknesswhenIwalkedpastherdooronmywaytobed。"
Penfieldremovedhiseye—glassesandpolishedthemonhissilkhandkerchief。"Ihavenofurtherquestionstoask。Colonel，youareexcused。"
McIntyrebowedgravelytohimandashelefttheplatformcamefacetofacewithhisfamilyphysician，Dr。Stone。
Penfield，whowasanoldacquaintanceofthephysician’s，signedtohimtocomeontheplatform。Afterthepreliminarieshadbeengonethrough，heshiftedhischairaround，thebettertofaceStone。
"DidyouaccompanytheMissesMcIntyretothepolicecourtonTuesdaymorning？"heasked。
"Idid，"respondedthephysician，"atMissBarbara’srequest。Shesaidhersisterwasnotverywellandtheydislikedgoingalonetothepolicecourt。"
"Didshestatewhyshedidnotaskherfathertogowiththem？"
"Onlythathehadnotfullyrecoveredfromanattackoftonsilitis，whichIknewtobeafact，andtheydidnotwanthimtoover—taxhisstrength。"
Therewasamoment’spauseasthecoroner，hisattentiondivertedbyawhisperedwordortwofromthemorguemaster，referredtohisnotesbeforeresuminghisexamination。
"DidyouknowJamesTurnbull？"heaskedasecondlater。
"Yes，slightly。"
"Didyourecognizehiminhisburglar’sdisguise？"
"Ididnot"
"Hadyouanysuspicionthattheburglarwasotherthanheseemed？"
"No。"
PenfieldpickedupamemorandumhandedhimbyDr。Mayoandreferredtoit。"Iunderstand，doctor，thatyouwerethefirsttogototheburglar’saidwhenhebecameill，"hesaid。"Isthattrue？"
"Yes，"Stonespokewithmoreanimation。"Happeningtoglanceinsidethecagewheretheprisonersat，Isawhewasstrugglingconvulsivelyforbreath。WithMr。Clymer’sassistanceIcarriedhimintoanante—roomoffthecourt，butbeforeIhadcrosseditsthresholdTurnbullexpiredinmyarms。"
"Washeconsciousbeforehedied？"
AtthequestionKentbenteagerlyforward。Whatwouldbethereply？
"Iamnotpreparedtoanswerthatwithcertainty，"repliedDr。Stonecautiously。"AsIpickedhimupIheardhimstammerfaintly：
’B—b—b。’"
Kentstartedsoviolentlythatthemannexttohimturnedandregardedhimforamoment，then，moreinterestedinwhatwastranspiringontheplatform，promptlyforgothisagitatedneighbor。
"WasTurnbulldelirious，doctor？"askedthecoroner。
Stoneshookhisheadindenial。"No，"hestated。"Itakeitthathestartedtosay’Barbara，’andhisbreathfailedhim;atanyrateIonlycaughtthestuttered’B—b—b。’"
Penfielddidnotimmediatelycontinuehisexamination，butwhenhedidsohismannerwasstern。