The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1883-02-23

"and this man is as clearly guilty to my mind
as if there had been dozen witnesses to
stand by and see him do the deed. That's
my opinion, Haywood" and the oracle dis
appeared behind its newspaper
FeelingIglad TO discover any topic that
would divert my thoughts from their gloomy
forebodings, addressed myself to Haywood,
the young barrster, with whom | had a
slight acquaintance.
"You seem much interested in this trial
that is going on" said MAY | ask if you
are engaged upon it?'
NO" he answered. But it is n curious
case. A man, a clerk dismissed from his
employment; is accused of numbering the
cashier of the firm. The evidence against
him is entirely circumstantial; but the de-
fence broke down at the most critical point,
and the case certainly looks very black for the
prisoner"
The train W as now slackening speed, and
there was general rising. | rose, too
Are You going to get out here ?" said Mr.
Haywood, opening the door as we glided into
the station.
Have you come down so carly on bust
ness ?"
"Ye-s,"l said, wishing TO goodness |
knew what the immediate business was
Nothing very urgent, though" added, half
t. myself, as | got out.
"If you have the time TO spare, you had
better turn in and hear the end of the trial, I"
said Haywood. "The court will be crowded
with ladies, no doubt but can smuggle you
into a corner"
Not knowing what TO do with myself for
the next two hours, | accepted the offer with
gratitude was soon seated in an obscure cor
ner of dngy, illlightcd, ill-ventilated court
house, which would have been ill.smelling
too had it not been for the scent waited from
the numerous ladies who were present. One
of these, n buXom female obstruction who
ought to have known better, was just in front
0fme, and blocked my view with an enormous
bonnet could moi see the prisoner or his
counsel, or even the clock over his head, at
which the people kept looking eagerly as the
hour fixed for the recommenccment of the
trial approached.
AT last there was stir and hustle, caused
by persons invisible TO me, then call for
silence, and, after a few prclminaries, the
summing-up commenced.
| listened the more intently because could
see nothing. The clear, cold, telling scntcn
ces cut deep in my consciousness. How dis
tinct and convincing it all was How all those
minute facts the mute testimony offootmarks
and the like, arranged and distributed by that
powerful intellect, grouped themselves into
the damning proof of guilt
cared nothing for the prisoner, had no
personal interest in the trial, but my mind
was wonderfully fascinated by this tale of
horror. AT length the weighty tones ceased
and murmur of relief and expectation ran
round the assembly. At this moment the
woman with the high bonnet shifted her seat,
and obtained full view of the prisoner
started involuntarily. Where had seen
that face before?
The jury returned after short absence :;
the verdict was guilty, accompanied with a
| recommendation to mercy. Again the judges
solemn tones sounded through the court,
again they ceased.
There was dead silence. l sprang to my
feet as if impelcd to do so by some unseen
power, and looked steadily at the prisoner
His face was avcrted from me for the moment,
but the looks of the people showed me that
he was about to speak. Slowly he turned
round, and, in voice whose deep, earnest
tones could be heard all over the assembly,
he said:
There lives but one man who can prove
me innocent-and there he stands"
With white face and oustretched arms he
pointed-at me. | gaZed at him with sud
den flash of reorganization. 1t was the man
had seen under the lamp. And. Ivy " o'"3"sn
coincidence, III tnlS moment tnc court CLOCK
struck twelve
The plea that had been got up by the de-
fence was an alibi. But there was a space of
some two hours that could not be accounted
for, and the theory of the prosecution was
that the crime had cen committed during
that time. My evidence supplied the missing
link, for the place in which | had seen The
man was so far distant from the scene of the
murder that it was impossible for him to have
been any where near at the time of Its COM
mission.
And the dream Only a coincidence, you
will say, perhaps, or fit of indigestion, or
my timber contract. Nevertheless, as have
told it to you, SO it happened. Explain it
away who can.