The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1871-03-07
Daily argus.
THE DEATH TEST.
TConcIuded.I

the fellow hRu some OBJECT IN getting him
convicted, and tried to remember if he had
ever been associated with-even met hin
before, and given him any cause Of
enmity. Ii such was the case, it had en-
tirely slipped from memory, and his position
gave him little time for thought, as he was
asked to account for the money that was
taken from him being the same IN amount
and OF the same character as that OF the
murdered girls.
at Is case that might happen thous
and times" was the reply but permit me
to ask if she is indeed dead"
"You will soon see" growled the stiff
necked iussice,-"see more than you want
to-
''It dead l have no wish to look upon her
again. The horrible sight | have had IS tuily
sufficient, and have seen enough OF death
not TO be curious iu such matters.
mo doubt OF it Murder and robbery are
your trade"
The old uncle of the murdered girl step
ped TO the eide of the Justice, and they had
a short whispered conversation, but evident
" an important one. The purport of it was
soon made known
Alfred Martini" continued the Office of
the Law, las you choose to call Yourself,
though no one here is fool enough to believe
that to be your correct name, you deny ell
participation in the foul deed that has been
done ?"
IL do"
"And are willing TO prove i; by any means
within your power ?"
IL an"
"OHcers, guard him safely, and remove
him to the next room. We will soon see his
guilt clsarly proved"
Without the remotest idea of what was
going to take place, the prisoner permitted
himself TO be led iAto another apartment,
aud saw, 70 his surprise and horror,
the ccrpse of the girl stretched out upon
the table. still as bloody and as CHASTITY IS
when he first discovered her in the gloomy
iavine. 1t was u sight that would at any
time have caused him to shudder, but now
it almost unnamed him for an instant,
especially as the dress had been cut away,
so as to expose a wound in the fair, white
flesh. His natural emotion was st once
taken as an evidence OF his guilt, and he
heard whispered comments to that effect.
The ~ told you So - Of the man who had
before volunteered his testimony, particular
" attracted his attention, and from that
sibe without being detected, and, summon
ing his courage, he turned to the pompous
Justice, and demanded what was intended
by suOh an unusual proceeding.
at is the death test !" was the solemn
response.
"You will have to explain more fully; l
do not understand
eve believe that the corpse of murder
ed person has power to distinguish between
the innocent aud guilty. Place one hand
upon that wound, raise the other to heaven,
and assert your Innoceuoe-if you dare IL
you are indeed without guilt, ell will be
well. If not, the blood will flow again.
At another time, Martin would have
laughed outright Mt the stupid superstition
OF which he now remembered to have often
read. let, there was something solemn in
thus cslling upon the dead to give evidence
for OF against the living, and he would viii
Hugjy have been spared the ordeal, for the
most sln pie accident might cause drop o.
two of blood TO exude from the Enclosed
lips of the wound, and then his fate would
be sealed indeed.
IF guiltless, why do you shrink ~ asked
the man of Law. 1T is only the murderer
thgt need fear
He could hesitate no longer without con
victiug himself in their eyes; and, stepping
to the side of the corpse, he laid his right
hand upon the wound, end called to God to
witness his entire innocence. Then he
stepped back so that ell could see that no
blood had followed.
God has astested your guiltlessness,"
said the uncle OF the poor girl "But see
the blood is beginning to flow, and the
guilty man must be near. Let each ia turn
DO as this stranger has done"
In the opening of the wound, and oozing
of blood, Martin saw far other things :han
did the afflicted old man; but he wisely held
mis- pesce,an managed to place his back
against the door SC that no one could go out,
and watched each as they went through the
death test But there were no more Grim.
son drops bubbling forth as sign OF guilt :;
and, as the justice declared that ell had goue
through the ordeal, sigh of intense relief
burst from many lips.
Not ell, replied Martin. "There is one
yet remaining pointing 10 the one who
had made himself so otticious. That man
has kept in the background"
John Kirkpatrick, is this true ?"
mo it is a lie - was the answer.
sit is true" repeated Martin, firmly. 81
have kept him under my eye all the time,
and | swear that he has not been near the
table"
IL haze. You all saw me-"
But, upon reflection, no one had seen
him, and he was forced forward. Then an
entire change was visible, His flushed
face grew pale as ashes, and his british lip
tremDled. He looked wildly for chance
for escspe-sAw there was none and,
putting on an air Of brsvado, exclaimed,
with an oath, "Well, can do it again"
With the words, he had raised his hand
and was extending it-hsd nearly touched
the corpse-when he shrAnk back with q
fearful groan. His eyes had been the first
70 see that the blood was flowing freely
again from the wound-not one alone, but
all
A strong man at ali times he was rem.
dered Goubly so now by desperation: and
IN his efforts TO get away, his coat was torn
to ahreds, and the jewelry and money Of
which the girl had been robbed, fell to the
floor, and raving and oursing he was cArriad
away to prison.
During this exciting scene Martin had
remained unnoGiced. When the justice aud
the uncle OF the glrI thought Oh MIN again,
trey fosnd him with his hand upon her head,
and a smile playing upon his lips.
"What is 1t ~ they both asked in one
breath.
"She ia not dead. Show me where | can
place her upon har bed, and summon some
women. She is not dead only stunned"
And be lifted her in his strong arms and
carried her to another apartment.
1t was weeks before Ethel LorinZ was
sufficiently recovered to appear in court.
Then her evidence was conclusive. She
instantly recognized the prisoner fitzpatrick
and the simple manner in which she told
the story of assault, robbery aud attempted
murder. added much to it's force. Without
leaving the box, the jury found him
"Gullty,' and he was sentenced 20 death.
The trial was over, the uncle of the girl
cnllnd - uabad ha nro,-k