Part 34 (1/2)
With that, he turned and walked rapidly away, leaving the men staring after him with suspicious, wondering eyes.
CHAPTER XXVI
UNDER SUSPICION
Never in the entire history of Creekdale had there been such intense excitement as when word was received of the murder of old David. At first people could not believe it was true, and thought there had been some mistake. But when the men who had found David related the story then all doubt was set aside. The store was crowded that afternoon with excited men who had gathered to hear the smallest detail, and to discuss with one another the whole affair. It was Sandy Miller who described how he had made the discovery, and then shouted for his companions.
”Was the letter lying near?” Andy Forbes asked.
”I didn't notice it at first,” was the reply, ”as I was so overcome by the sight before me. It must have been lying there all the time, for Jim Goban saw it at once.”
”Where is that letter now?”
”Jim has it, I guess. It wasn't a letter, but merely an envelope with 'Jasper Randall' written plain on the outside. You should have seen that fellow's face when Jim showed it to him.”
”But do you think that proves anything?” Andy enquired.
”Wouldn't like to say. But you know as well as I do how suspicious the thing looks, and how much the lawyers will make out of it.”
”Is the body at the Haven now?” one of the men asked.
”We took it there,” Andy replied. Then he paused and looked around upon his audience. ”I hope I shall never have to take part in such a business again,” he continued. ”I can't get the face of that girl Betty out of my mind, and her wild cry is still ringing in my ears. I thought she would go crazy for sure when she heard what had happened.”
”She was very fond of the old man, so I understand,” Ned Purvis remarked.
”She certainly was. They were just like father and daughter. But I must say that Miss Sinclair was a regular brick. She took charge of everything at once and seemed to know the right thing to do. But, my, her face was pale, and you should have seen her eyes--when she turned them upon Jim Goban.”
”What did she do that for?” Ned questioned.
”Because Jim showed her the envelope and hinted that Randall was the guilty one.”
”Did she say anything?”
”Never a word. But her eyes said enough, and I saw Jim flinch as if he had been struck in the face.”
”The women folks say that her and him are pretty thick,” Steve Clemwell drawled. ”Maybe that's the reason why she's goin' to stick up fer him.
They've been seen drivin' together, and he's been often at her house.”
”But what reason would Randall have for murdering Crazy David?” Andy asked. ”They've always been the best of friends, and they've never had a quarrel as far as I know.”
”But the old man had money, so it was reported,” Ned replied. ”Andy here knows something about that.”
The storekeeper, however, shook his head. He was not anxious now to appear to know more than he really did. He alone of all the men was feeling keenly for Jasper.
”Mark my word, men,” and he looked around solemnly upon those before him, ”there's a deep mystery connected with this affair. You have taken for granted that Randall is guilty because that envelope was found near the body. But I think we had better keep our mouths shut, for if we don't some of us may get into trouble. There's going to be a big time over this, and it's best for us to wait and see what will be the outcome. When the detectives get to work they won't leave a stone unturned, and the smallest detail which bears upon the matter will be put into evidence.
”When will the detectives begin work?” Ned asked.
”I don't know, and I don't suppose any of us will, for that matter.