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。