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。