Kastle Krags Part 11

In reply to the coroner's questions, he testified as to the finding of the body, the nature of the scream we had heard and gave a similar report as to the appearance of the wound. He had observed no suspicious actions on the part of any one.

"You led the search, I believe, through the gardens?"

"Yes."

"You were the one man that was armed. May I ask how you happened to have a pistol in the pocket of dinner clothes?"

"I was held up, once," Marten replied straightforwardly. "Several years ago. I've carried a pistol ever since."

The coroner nodded. "Did your party stay together in searching the gardens, or did they scatter out?" he asked.

"We scattered out. We couldn't have hoped to find any one if we had stayed together. We called back and forth, however."

"You kept track of one another all the time?"

"I can't say that. The gardens and grounds are large and full of shrubbery."

"The search lasted--how long?"

"Only a few minutes."

The coroner dismissed him at this point, calling on Mr. Van Hope. The latter told of his long acquaintance with Nealman, and verified in every detail the story that his friend had told.

"And where were you, Mr. Dell, when the scream was heard?" the coroner asked.

"In the library," was the reply. Major Dell spoke evenly, but his keen, flushed face showed that he was taking the most keen and lively interest in the proceedings.

"Why weren't you with the others in the party?"

"We were all running all over the house. I was trying to find Mr.

Nealman's copy of Jordan's work on fish. Fargo and I had got into an argument about black ba.s.s."

"Mr. Fargo was not with you at the time?"

"I was alone. I had left Mr. Fargo at the billiard table."

Weldon's voice changed in tone. "And how did the argument come out, may I ask."

Major Dell smiled dryly. "It isn't concluded yet," he said.

The coroner paused, then took a new tack. "You heard the sound distinctly?"

"Distinctly, but probably not so clearly as Mr. Nealman heard it. The library is back of the lounging-room."

"Then what did you do?"

"I ran outside. I joined Nealman and some of the other guests on the grounds, and went down with them to investigate."

"You took part in the hunt through the grounds?"

"Yes. I beat back and forth with the rest."

"And saw or heard nothing suspicious?"

"Something moved in the shrubbery, but we couldn't locate it. Nealman thought afterward it was a racc.o.o.n or some other small animal."

"You knew Mr. Florey?"

"I had never set eyes upon him before."

"You've had long acquaintance with Mr. Nealman, however?"

Major Dell hesitated, just an instant. "No. I had never met Mr. Nealman until last night."

The coroner's interest quickened. "You didn't? How did you happen to be included among his guests?"

"I was a great friend of his friend, Mr. Van Hope. I was invited through his kindness. He wanted me to have a taste of shooting and fis.h.i.+ng."

"What is your occupation, Mr. Dell?"

"I am interested in finance, in a modest way."

"You saw, heard or knew of nothing connected with this murder that you haven't testified."

"No." Dell paused, considering. "Nothing, I'm sure."

"I say 'murder.' Testimony has gone to show that Florey was dead, not just severely wounded, when you and the others reached his side. Mr.

Dell, do you think there is any possibility that life remained in his body when you saw him beside the inlet?"

Dell spoke clearly. "None whatever," he said.

"You speak very sure."

"I am sure. I've seen too many dead men ever to make a mistake. The position of the body, the features--everything told it as plain as day."

The coroner leaned forward. His eyes gleamed. "And where and how did you happen to see all these dead men, may I ask?"

There was an instant's second of strain throughout the room. All of us, I think, were siding with Major Dell--from the sheer instinctive distrust of const.i.tuted authority that seems to be implanted in our bodies at birth. Dell looked down, and his face was gray.

"In the Argonne," he said, quietly. The room was deathly still.

Fargo, called immediately after, testified as to his argument with Dell as to the nature of black ba.s.s. Dell had left him, he said, to go into the library.

"You were alone in the billiard room when you heard the cry?"

"Yes. But I ran outdoors and joined the others."

Van Hope testified as to his acquaintance with Major Dell, saying that they had known each other for several months, and that Dell belonged to one of his clubs. He verified Nealman's story perfectly.