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, it was going rapidly."
"That would scarcely seem to indicate the motor vehicle of a caterer."
"Nor do I say that it did. I have no reason to give the car any thought whatever; and I have merely a memory of the car passing me as I finished my cigarette and returned to the dancing-room. I can tell you no more of it."
"You didn't notice its occupants?"
"No; nor could I see them distinctly. I fancy, however, there were three or four men in it; but again, that is merely an impression I gained from the fleeting vision. I turned away from it, even as it passed me."
After a few more inquiries the Earl was dismissed, and other witnesses followed. None was important, in the sense of throwing any further light on the incidents of the evening before.
The Whitings and other guests who had been in the drawing-room, simply repeated what was already known.
The servants had heard no shots, but as they were at that time in the outer kitchen, busily engaged in preparations for supper, that was not surprising.
The coachman and gardener had rooms in the barn buildings, and said they heard nothing unusual until notified of the catastrophe.
There were now no more witnesses to be heard from, save the most important one of all, Mildred Leslie.
Dr. Sheldon consented that she should be interviewed, but requested a delay of an hour or so.
The coroner, therefore, announced a brief recess, and as we had all given our testimony, we were not required to remain in the drawing-room with the jury and the officials. But as we were all more than anxious to be on hand to hear Mildred's statement, we did not drift far away.
Gilbert Crane and I strolled on the front lawn, smoking and discussing the inquest. I was most curious to know the reason of his extraordinary hesitation at some points of his testimony, but not caring to inquire directly, I resolved to find out in a roundabout way.
"What did you think of Miss Gardiner's testimony?" I asked.
"I