CHAPTER XVII
As soon as daylight came the coroner held another inquest. Again the occupants of the great manor house, black and white, were gathered in the living-room, and the coroner called on each person in turn. Possible suspects had been numerous in the case of Florey’s death: in regard to this second mystery they seemingly included almost every one in the house.
I was able to state positively that Major Dell and Van Hope were in their own rooms at the time, or such a short time afterward as to preclude them from any possible connection with the crime. I had seen the latter on his threshold: both of us had encountered Major Dell as he emerged from his room, his trousers slipped on over his pajamas. The court had to take each man’s word in every other instance.
The coroner questioned Fargo particularly closely. I had testified that we had met him, at the lower hallway, fully dressed, and evidently the official attributed sinister importance to the fact. Fargo stood tightly by his guns, however, testifying that he sat in the same chair in the library from shortly after the dinner hour until he had heard the scream.
“What was the nature of the scream, Mr. Fargo?” the coroner asked.
“It was very high and loud—I would say a very frantic scream.”
“You would say it was a cry of agony? Like some one mortally wounded?”
“I wouldn’t hardly think so.”
“And why not?”