the weapon in Miss Leslie's hand after she was wounded. In your opinion, Dr. Sheldon, would this be possible?"
"Possible, yes, but highly improbable, as I myself took the pistol from her hand, and she was holding it in a tight grasp. This would scarcely have been the case, had it been thrust into her hand while she lay unconscious."
"We will not pursue this line of investigation further, until we can hear Miss Leslie's story," said Mr. Billings. "Dr. Sheldon, you are excused."
Mr. Maxwell's testimony was merely to the effect that he had spent the evening in the drawing-room until about half past nine, at which time he went to his study, and remained there, reading and occasionally dozing, until he had been told the dreadful news.
He corroborated my statement about my looking in on him at ten o'clock, though he didn't notice the time, and he said that he neither saw nor heard Gilbert Crane look in later.
Asked if he heard any shots, he said he did not, owing, doubtless, to his deafness, and the fact that he was asleep part of the time.
He was excused, and Mr. Billings then inquired if any one had heard any shots.
We who were in the drawing-room during the half-hour between ten and ten-thirty (when the murder was judged to have taken place) declared we heard no shots; and this was but natural, as the library was up-stairs and some distance away, and the music was, at that time, of a noisy variety.
Gilbert Crane said he heard no shots, but said that he was so deeply immersed in his own thoughts, that he doubted if he would have heard a cannon fired.
Then Miss Maxwell's gentle voice was heard, saying:
"I heard two shots, and they were fired at exactly ten o'clock."
"This is most important, madam," said the coroner. "Will you kindly take the witness-chair?"
Then Miss Miranda testified that she was in her own room preparing for bed. Her doors were closed, and the water was running for her bath, so that she could not hear distinctly, but at ten o'clock she heard two sounds that seemed to her like pistol shots.
At the time, however, she hardly thought they were shots, but she opened her hall door and looked out. Seeing nothing unusual, and hearing the gay music down-stairs, she assumed it was the slamming of doors or some other unimportant noise, and so thought no more of it, until informed of what had happened.
"This, then," said Mr. Billings, "fixes the firing of the two shots at ten o'clock. That coincides with your diagnosis, Dr. Sheldon?"
"Yes, sir," said the doctor. "I went up-stairs at about half past ten, and found the body still warm."
"It is fortunate that we are able thus to fix the time so accurately," said the coroner, "as it may be helpful in discovering the criminal."
Chapter IX.
Further Testimony
The next witness called was Irene Gardiner.
For some unaccountable reason, I trembled as I saw her take the stand.
There was no knowing what sort of an impression this strange girl might create, and there were certain bits of evidence which I would feel sorry to have brought out in reference to her.
"Where were you between ten and ten-thirty last evening?" asked Mr. Billings.
Although the tone was courteous, the question had somewhat the sound of a challenge.
"On the upper balcony," replied Irene, her head held high, and her red lips curled in a haughty expression.
"Which part of the balcony?" The coroner's voice was a little more gentle.
"The south end of the east side."
That was where I had left her when I came down-stairs at ten o'clock. The library opened on the southern end of the west balcony.
"Were you there alone?"
"Mr. King was with me part of the time. Also there were others in different parts of the balcony. After Mr. King left me I was alone."
"Were not the others you mentioned there?"
"I don't know; I could see no one from where I sat."
"How long did you remain there?"
"I cannot tell the exact time. When I came into the house again, I was met by Mr. King, who told me what had happened, and asked me to break the news to Miss Maxwell."
"While sitting on the balcony alone did you see any strangers, or any one, around the grounds, or on the driveway?"
"None."
"Did you stay in the same place all the time you were on the balcony, after Mr. King left you?"
"No—that is, yes."
"What do you mean by that answer?"
"I walked a few steps back and forth."
"Not around the corner into the north side?"
"N—no. Not so far as that."
As Irene made this statement, her face grew ashen pale, and I thought I saw her glance in the direction of Gilbert Crane.
But I was not sure of this, and I was most anxious to make all allowance for the girl, who was certainly pitiably nervous and disturbed.
"You are quite sure, Miss Gardiner, that you did not walk round on the north or west sides of the balcony until the time you came into the house?"
"Quite certain," said Irene, but her voice was so low as scarcely to be heard, and her eyes were cast down.
I didn't know what to make of her strange manner, and just then I chanced to look at Gilbert Crane. To my surprise, he was equally pale and agitated in appearance. No one else seemed to notice this, so I kept my own counsel concerning it.
Miss Gardiner was dismissed, and the Earl of Clarendon was next called.
Mr. Billings inquired rather definitely as to the title and pedigree of the English nobleman, and, seemingly satisfied with the replies, he asked the witness to tell what he could of the tragedy.
"I can tell very little," the Earl responded. "I was dancing with a young lady in the drawing-room, when I heard Mr. Crane announce from the doorway that somebody had been shot. I realized at once that unless restrained, the guests would all rush to the scene. I took the young lady who was with me to a sofa, and then I spoke to all the people at once, advising them to remain in the drawing-room. I may have taken upon myself undue authority, but I did it in an endeavor to avoid a scene of confusion. After a time, we all learned what had happened, and of course the guests for the most part went away at once."
"Where had you been just before the dance during which you heard the news?"
"I had been on the lower veranda."
"With whom?"
"I was alone. I wanted to smoke a cigarette, and I strolled round the verandas, toward the back of the house."
"On the same side of the house as the library, up-stairs?"
"Yes, the same side."
"Did you see any person or persons other than the guests of the house?"
"No, that is, not that I could distinguish. But I saw a motor car which came swiftly up the drive, passed me, and went on round the house."
"Did you notice the car especially?"
"I gave it little thought, as it might have been bringing or taking guests, or might have had to do with the caterers or servants."
"Can you describe the car?"
"Though I didn't see it clearly, it gave me the impression of being long and low, and of a gray color. Also,