Page:The Benson Murder Case (1926).pdf/321

 teenth my lucky day, and he gave me all the silver he had in his pocket—nickels and dimes and quarters and one fifty-cent piece.

How much altogether?

Three dollars and forty-five cents.

And then he went to his room?

Yes, sir—I took him up. He lives on the third floor.

Did he go out again later?

No, sir.

How do you know?

I'd 've seen him. I was either answerin' the switchboard or runnin' the elevator all night. He couldn't 've got out without my seein' him.

Were you alone on duty?

After ten o'clock there's never but one boy on.

And there's no other way a person could leave the house except by the front door?

No, sir.

When did you next see Major Benson?

(after thinking a moment): He rang for some cracked ice, and I took it up.

What time?

Why—I don't know exactly. . . . Yes, I do! It was half past twelve.

(smiling faintly): He asked you the time, perhaps?

Yes, sir, he did. He asked me to look at his clock in his parlor.

How did he happen to do that?

Well, I took up the ice, and he was in bed; and he asked me to put it in his pitcher in the parlor.