Part 5 (1/2)

CHAPTER V

IMPORTANT DISCOVERIES

As the attorney, in response to the summons from Mr. Thornton, hastened from the corridor into the main hall, five gentlemen were slowly ascending the broad stairway, conversing together in subdued tones. One, younger than the others and evidently more familiar with the surroundings at Fair Oaks, stepped quickly in advance of the rest and extended his hand to Mr. Whitney in silent greeting.

This was Dr. Hobart, Hugh Mainwaring's physician and one of his most intimate friends, although a number of years his junior. Following him were Mr. Elliott and Mr. Chittenden, of the firm of Mainwaring & Co., while bringing up the rear were the coroner and a gentleman, somewhat below medium size and of modest appearance, whom the attorney greeted very cordially and afterwards introduced to Mr.

Thornton as Mr. Merrick. Proceeding at once to the library, they were joined a moment later by Ralph Mainwaring and his son. The necessary introductions followed, and Mr. Mainwaring having given the butler instructions to admit no one into the library, Mr. Whitney made a brief statement regarding the discovery of the murder, and all pa.s.sed into the room in the tower.

Dr. Hobart at once bent over the prostrate form with genuine sorrow.

The millionaire broker had been one of his earliest patrons, and their acquaintance had soon ripened into a mutual attachment, notwithstanding the disparity in their ages. After a long look at the face of his friend, he gave place to the coroner, who was also a physician. They partially lifted the body and both examined the wound, the small man who had accompanied the coroner looking on silently. It was found that the bullet had entered just above the right eye and had pa.s.sed through the brain in a slightly downward direction, coming out near the base upon the same side. The most careful search failed to disclose the bullet, and attention was next directed to the revolver lying upon the floor near the right hand. It was a Smith & Wesson, thirty-two calibre, with but one empty chamber, that from which the fatal bullet had probably been discharged.

”Can any of you gentlemen tell me whether or not this belonged to the deceased?” inquired the coroner, holding up the revolver.

There was an instant's pause, and Mr. Whitney replied, ”I know that Mr. Mainwaring owned a revolver, but, having never seen it, am unable to answer your inquiry. Perhaps his secretary could give you the desired information.”

”I have often seen a revolver lying in Mr. Mainwaring's desk,”

said the secretary; ”but I doubt whether I could identify it, as I never observed it closely. I should judge, however, that this was the same size and make.”

”Would it not be well to see if it is still there?” suggested the attorney. ”I suppose you have a key to the desk.”

”I have, sir,” he replied, at the same time producing it. Crossing the room, he unlocked and opened the desk. An instant later, he announced, as he closed the desk, ”It is not here.”

There was a subdued murmur, and Mr. Thornton was heard to exclaim, ”Suicide! That has been my impression all along.”

Ralph Mainwaring glanced inquiringly at the attorney, who shook his head emphatically, while the coroner once more inspected the wound with an air of perplexity.

”Doctor,” inquired Ralph Mainwaring, ”in your opinion, how long has life been extinct?”

”I should judge about eight or nine hours,” replied Dr. Hobart.

”What would you say, Dr. Westlake?”

”That would be my judgment, also.”

”You would say that death was instantaneous?” questioned the attorney.

”Without a doubt. It could not have been otherwise?” Ralph Mainwaring consulted his watch. ”It is now half after nine; in your judgment, then, this must have occurred about one o'clock this morning?”

”About that time.”

”At what hour was Mr. Mainwaring last seen by any one in this house?” asked the coroner.

”As nearly as we have ascertained thus far, at about twelve o'clock.”

”Twelve? Indeed! By whom? and where?”

”By his private secretary, and in the library adjoining.”

”Very well,” said the coroner, after a pause, during which he had made a memorandum of certain details which he considered of special importance; ”the undertaker can now be summoned as I believe he is waiting below, and we seem to have ascertained all the facts possible in this direction; and, Mr. Whitney, I will next see the valet, whom you say was the one to discover the situation this morning.”

In the slight confusion and delay which ensued, Mr. Elliott and Mr.