Part 7 (2/2)
”No,” snapped the secretary.
”What motive had he for killing Mr. Whitmore?” the coroner fired at him.
”None that I know of,” declared Beard.
”Well, tell us in your own way what connection Mr. Collins had with this crime,” the coroner said persuasively.
”I have nothing to tell.”
It was manifest that the secretary regretted his first outburst against Collins and was now prepared to counter every effort of his questioner.
The coroner, however, was not to be easily repulsed.
”This, sir, is a solemn inquest into the death of Herbert Whitmore,” he informed the other. ”I am now holding court, as authorized by the statute. You will regard yourself as a duly summoned witness. Raise your right hand!”
Beard lifted a trembling hand above his head.
”You do solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth!” intoned the official. Producing pencil and paper he prepared to record the answers of the witness.
”You have accused one George Collins of the crime of murder,” he pursued. ”Are you prepared to substantiate that accusation with proof?”
”I do not accuse anyone of murder and I have no proof,” a.s.serted Beard.
The coroner decided to try a new tack.
”Where did Mr. Whitmore spend the past six weeks?”
”I decline to tell,” Beard answered firmly.
”On what ground do you refuse to answer?”
The secretary s.h.i.+fted uneasily from one position to another. His eyes roved about the room, finally studying the ceiling as if trying to discover written thereon some means out of his dilemma.
”I decline to answer--on the ground that my reply might tend to incriminate or degrade me. I'm sorry, but I must invoke my const.i.tutional privilege.”
Had a tongue of flame shot from the witness's mouth it could not have produced greater amazement. The coroner and the detectives regarded each other as if uncertain whether they had heard aright. The changed att.i.tude of the witness could only denote that he feared to involve himself. He, who had been so quick to accuse another, now appeared intent only on s.h.i.+elding himself.
”You have found the customary refuge of guilty men,” the coroner frowned at the witness. ”In the presence of murder, all honest men speak frankly. What motive have you in concealing Mr. Whitmore's whereabouts during his absence from his office?”
”I must decline to say anything further until I have consulted with counsel,” the secretary answered readily.
Certainly the two last replies smacked strongly of guilt, or at least, criminal knowledge. If not the actual murderer, he might be an accessory before the fact. So thought the coroner, and the cold gleam of authority in his eyes betrayed his belief.
”Since you won't speak, it is my duty to commit you to jail,” he declared.
”On what charge?” demanded the witness.
”On suspicion of being involved in the crime.”
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