The Morning herald., 1878-12-12

ing conversation with any of the interested
parties again disappeared, leaving no trace
behind. But Tom Blacks usefulness was
not yet finished.
Cecil was unable to restrain her joy at the
successful arrest Of her enemy, but she felt
extremely dissatisfied at the reticence of her
mother. And she could not account for the
prolonged absence of Clara Coles, whose
place came letter, stating her inability to
leave the city owing to circumstances which
were not known to her at the time OF her
promise.
For hours Mrs. Clayton was oloseted with
young lawyer Boorum, the most talented
and efficient of the two criminal resident
practitioners. She knew the character of
the defendant, and mighty efforts would be
required to circumvent him. Whichever
the gap is left open. If my honorable and
intelligent client were guilty of the heinous
acts imputed to him, why do his prosecutors
neglect to bring documentary proof? Why
do they not produce witnesses who can
show my respected client to be forger and
blackmailer? Where are the witnesses?
| challenge the prosecution to bring them
forward"
At this juncture commotion just outside
the main entrance caused all heads to turn,
when, to the prisoners horror and dismay,
Tom Black entered court.
"Why isn't he hers, cap, did you askf'
he said as he came forward. "Guess he is
herel-think I'm the feller. Didn't get
here afore, cause he was kept away; in
high-fown language, he was detained"
la n fha 1Uhi
changed to the prisoner, now returned to
the elated prosecutors.
The defendants counsel visibly paled
After silence had been restored, Mr..
Black. who stood, smiling good-humoredly,
by the door, advanced to the attorneys
table, placed his hand on the shoulder of
Clark's lawyer, and said:
"Mr Blackstone, you're one O the smart
ones, YOU are! Gents O the police, fix him,
or he might take notion to make oil under
full sail'
Two detectives, who were among the spec
tators, came forward and quickly hand
cufed their man.
''Now, listen, your Honor, gents O the
jury, and everybody else. don't care to
be sworn in in reg'lar style, and 1 amt goln'
to be, either. I know what's been said by
Mrs and Miss Clayton, and know it's true,
every word of it. Here's dockyments in
this leetle box as will prove It'll"
He drew out the ebony box and handed it
over to Mr.. Boorum. .
"In that concern is o marriage certificate,
which that animal in the two-cornered hen
coop says is legal. But that doesn't make
1t so. The gents O the force know better;
they've proved it to be teetotal fraud; the
minister mentioned in the certificate never
married two parties by the name O Clark
and Armstrong. Nor it amt down on the
church records. There's plenty o testl-
mony to settle Mr.. Clarks game and prove
my friends case!'
Vain were the efforts to suppress the up
roar which followed this speech. Cheer
after cheer went up.
"Thanks, feller citizens, for your lavish,
but heterogenus applause" said the man of
mystery, after it had subsided.
Then sudden change came over him.
His manner took on cool, determined air,
and his voice, though still gruff, sounded
to Cecil like voice from the tomb.
"But am the most important witness in
this case at this moment" he declared. II
have been forcibly detained by the defend
ants tricky lawyer, who had men watching
my movements. hid myself for fear they
would put me out of the way, and that is
why am so late have charge to make
against Mr.. Smith, alias Jared Clark, alias
Eldridge, alias Bob Willis-the charge OF
murder and attempted murderT
tThat defy you to prove!' yelled CLARK,
bounding to his feet, in perfect frenzy.
"Who are you that dares make so foul an
accusation?'' .......... .....-
"Better you were dead than know" re-
piled the accuser. II am one of your VIC
Tins, come to taunt you. You assisted in
nv ruin, and I do neither forget nor
forgive I am Nemesis! For days, weeks,
months, I have shadowed you, with but o
single aim, your complete overthrow. You
are anxious to know who l am. Behold!
Ned Clayton, risen, Ph@nix-like, from the
furnace lighted by your hand!'
"Lost! lostr' shrieked the guilty wretch.
"Aye, irrevocably! When you locked me
In that burning building, you knew not that
there was a lite door at the back. The
heat brought me to my senses and dis
charged the pistol in my pocket but the
ball did not touch. Providence showed me
the way out of that raging flame, though
I bear bad mark on my arm, and my
clothes were scorched so that they blistered
me. But care not for that; have been
in saving those I love, and ! am
ready for the bracelets again. Soon 1 shall
return to my old cell, but it will not be many
Years more that shall serve; death will
soon relieve me. 1t was not with intent to
kill that struck William Armstrong; it was
the accursed liquor in me that did it, and
oh, how bitterly hos the act been rePented!
But there is no excuse You, smith, nave
your own son, and would nave
done the same for me! May you hang, and
be fed upon by birds of prey, tit emolems y OF
yourself! Judge, do with me as you Will!
The court broke up in wild confusion.
Shouts yells, and cheers drowned the COM