Gregory Hall smiled slightly. "As I was out of town, your
suggestion sounds a little absurd. However, I take that risk,
and absolutely refuse to answer any questions save those which
relate to the matter in hand."

Coroner Monroe looked rather helplessly at his jurors, but as
none of them said anything further, he turned again to Gregory
Hall.

"The telephone message you received this morning, then, was the
first knowledge you had of Mr. Crawford's death?"

"It was."

"And you came out here at once?"

"Yes; on the first train I could catch."

"I am sorry you resent personal questions, Mr. Hall, for I must
ask you some. Are you engaged to Mr. Crawford's niece, Miss
Lloyd?"

"I am."

This answer was given in a low, quiet tone, apparently without
emotion of any kind, but Miss Lloyd showed, a different attitude.
At the words of Gregory Hall, she blushed, dropped her eyes,
fingered her handkerchief nervously, and evinced just such
embarrassment as might be expected from any young woman, in the