Murder Marsh by Maxwell Grant & Walter Gibson

Author:Maxwell Grant & Walter Gibson [Grant, Maxwell & Gibson, Walter]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Espionage, Fiction, Thrillers
Publisher: Street & Smith
Published: 1934-10-17T08:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER X. THE SHADOW'S SEARCH

Two hours had elapsed since the finding of Merle Cray's dead body. A solemn group was seated in the great hall of the mansion. One person, alone, was on his feet, stalking back and forth. This was Philo Halthorpe, brought from his home by one of Rokesbury's workers.

"Until the county prosecutor arrives," declared the rugged lawyer, "I shall remain in charge at this house. I am acting under the prosecutor's order. I telephoned him from my home.

"My one regret is that I had not returned from my hike when your man arrived at my house, Rokesbury. I was tramping over on the other side of town. I walked farther than I had planned. Hence my lateness in returning.

"However, I am authorized to take statements. Let me hear them, while they are fresh in your minds. You, Twindell"–the prosecutor turned to the old servant–"shall speak first."

"I was in my room, sir," stated the old servant. "I am a very light sleeper. Old Mr. Culeth trained me to be, sir. I heard what seemed to be shots, from far below. I hurried into some clothes and rushed downstairs. I encountered the intruder. I grappled with him. He fired a pistol, sir."

"At you?"

"While I was struggling with him. I was clutching his arm. He was unable to point the revolver toward me. Then the lights came on; he flung me to the floor. I struck my head. When I recovered, Miss Dorothy was beside me."

"Did you see the face of your assailant?"

"No, sir. There was only the firelight, before Miss Dorothy pressed the light switch. That was when the man flung me to the floor. He was a powerful fellow. That is all that I can state with surety."

"Your statement, Miss Brent," ordered Halthorpe.

"I must have heard the shots in the cellar," said the girl. "I know that something awakened me. I arose from bed and wondered if I should call some one. Then came the loud shots from this hall. I rushed to the stairs and turned on the light."

"Did you witness Twindell's struggle with the intruder?"

"Only the finish of it. I saw a black form grappling with Twindell; then they staggered from view. When I gained nerve enough to come down the stairs, Twindell's assailant was gone."

"Your story, Mr. Brent."

"Shots awakened me," said the naturalist. "They must have been the ones fired in this hall. My chill seized me. I was slow in getting downstairs. I saw Dorothy trying to revive Twindell."

"You, Professor Shelby."

"I am a sound sleeper," declared the guest. "I do not recall hearing any shots while I was in my room. But I heard shouts outside; and came downstairs just as Mr. Rokesbury was arriving with his men."

Halthorpe turned to Rokesbury. The engineer did not wait for his question.

"We heard the shots clear over by the causeway," declared Rokesbury. "They were faint and distant; but we knew they were from this direction. I thought that they must have come from outside the house. I hurried over with three men.

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