Part 10 (1/2)
He was called for the inquest and gave his testimony. The hearing was brief, and the facts ascertained so clear, there remained no doubt in the minds of any one, but what this was a case of suicide. No particular attempt was made to probe into the cause, the personal affairs of the dead man being left for later investigation. West saw Natalie at the inquest for the very few moments she was upon the stand, but their eyes did not meet, nor did the girl give any evidence of recognition. She was pale, yet calm, answering the questions asked her quietly. These pertained entirely to her last meeting with Coolidge, and had no direct bearing on the verdict. The moment she was released she retired from the room; and West merely lingered long enough to learn the decision of the jury. Somehow the impression the young woman had left upon him in those few moments was not a pleasant one. He could not clearly a.n.a.lyse this result, yet she was either acting a part to conceal her true emotions, or else she was really indifferent.
It was not until the following day that reason began to rea.s.sert itself, and he succeeded in marshalling the facts of the case more clearly in his own mind. He even began to doubt and question his own testimony, yet, before he reached any real conclusion, one of the Club servants approached his chair.
”Captain West, there is a man out here asking to see you.”
”A man! Where?”
”I had him wait in the anteroom, sir. He would give no name, and seems to be of the working cla.s.s; so I thought I better tell you first, sir.”
”Very well, Mapes. I'll soon find out what he wants.”
It was s.e.xton, twirling his hat nervously in his hands, and still standing irresolutely in the middle of the floor. As sight of West he took a hasty step forward, eager to explain the cause of his presence.
”You'll pardon me, sir,” he burst forth in apology. ”But I must see you, sir.”
”That's quite all right, s.e.xton. You have some message?”
”Not--not from any one else, sir. It's just my own business, but--but I thought you would help me, sir.”
”Certainly; only too glad. Let's step in here where we can talk quietly.”
He pointed the way into a private card room, closing the door behind his visitor.
”Take the seat over there, s.e.xton. You came in to see me from Fairlawn?”
”No, sir, I didn't. The fact is, I'm not out there any longer.”
”Not there! What do you mean?”
”I've been discharged, sir, with two other servants, since the funeral yesterday.”
”Discharged! Why I understood you had been employed there for years.”
”Several years, sir.”
”And now discharged! By whom? Not Miss Natalie surely?”
”Yes, sir. She didn't give no reason; just said we were not wanted any longer. That's one reason why I came here to see you, sir.”
”But I hardly know how I can be of help. I have no house of my own, and--well, the truth of the matter is, s.e.xton, just at present I am not on very good terms with the young lady myself.”
”I know that, sir,” more confidently. ”And it isn't a position I am seeking, at all. I have quite a tidy bit of money laid away, and could get plenty of work. That's not the point, sir. Why should Miss Natalie tell me to go like that? It isn't a bit like her, sir; she ain't seemed natural at all lately, and I tell you there's something wrong goin' on out there. I'm sure o' that, sir.”
”Sure of what?”
”Well, for one thing, it's my opinion that Percival Coolidge never killed himself, sir.”
West sat up stiffly, as though struck a blow. These words startled him; drove his own mind into sudden activity.
”What makes you think that, s.e.xton?” he questioned slowly.