Part 45 (1/2)
It is for her health that I came here. She has been very ill.”
Carmody nodded to the sheriff, and Throop with a deep sigh and most dramatic gesture lifted the shroud which concealed the dead man.
”Approach the body,” commanded the coroner, and the jurors watched every motion with wide, excited eyes, as though expecting involuntary signs of guilt; but Kauffman calmly gazed upon the still face beneath him.
”Do you recognize this body?” demanded the coroner.
”I do,” said Kauffman.
”When did you see him last?”
”Oh, two or three days ago,” answered Kauffman.
”You may be seated,” said the coroner.
Under close interrogation the old man admitted that he had had some trouble with Watson. ”Once I forced him to leave my premises,” he said.
”He was drunk and insulting.”
”Did you employ a weapon?”
”Only this ”--here he lifted a st.u.r.dy fist--”but it was sufficient. I have not forgotten my gymnastic training.”
Prompted by Kitsong, who had a.s.sumed something of the att.i.tude of a prosecuting attorney, the coroner asked, ”Has your daughter ever been in an asylum?”
Although this question plainly disturbed him, Kauffman replied, after a moment's hesitation, ”No, sir.”
”Where were you last night?”
”At home.”
”Was your daughter there?”
”Yes.”
”All the evening?”
”Yes, sir.”
”Are you sure she did not leave the house?”
”Perfectly sure.”
The coroner took up a small rifle which the sheriff had leaned against the wall. ”Is this your rifle?”
The old man examined it. ”I think so--yes, sir.”
”Have you another?”
”No, sir.”
”That is all for the present, Mr. Kauffman. Sheriff, ask Miss Kauffman to come in.”