COLONEL ROBERT LEE Ashley was used to surprises. This was natural, considering his calling, and at some of the surprises he was a silent spectator, while at others he furnished the surprise. In this case he served in his former capacity, merely noting the rather startled look on the face of Harry Bartlett when handed the subpoena to the coroner’s inquest.
“I thought they weren’t going to have any,” Bartlett repeated, but whether to himself in a sort of daze, to Colonel Ashley, or to the man from headquarters was not clear. At any rate Colonel Ashley answered him by saying:
“You never can tell what Jersey justice is going to do. Coroner’s inquests are not usual in this state, but they are lawful.”
“But why do they consider one necessary?” asked Bartlett, as they prepared to enter the hou
