He
had retained enough sense to telephone at once to Jonesville, and
then--Benito hardly knew what he had done since then, he was so
badly shaken by the tragedy.
"What time did it happen?"
"It was noon when I came in."
Dave consulted his watch, and was surprised to discover that it
was now only a few minutes past one. It was evident, therefore,
that Benito had indeed lost no time, and that his alarm had met
with instant response.
"Now tell me, who did it?"
Benito flung his hands high. "God knows! Some enemy, of course;
but Don Eduardo had many."
"Not that sort of enemies. There was nobody who could wish to kill
him."
"That is as it is."
"Haven't you any suspicions?"
"No, senor."
"You say Mrs. Austin is gone?"
"Yes."
"Where?"
"I don't know."
Dave spoke brusquely: "Come, Benito; you must know, for your wife
went with her. Are you trying to keep something back?"
"No, no! As God is my judge!" Benito declared, "I didn't know they
were going until the very last, and even then Dolores would tell
me nothing. We were having bad times here at Las Palmas; there
were stormy scenes yonder in the house. Senor Ed was drinking
again, you understand? The senora had reason to go.
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