The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-05-12

connected with what he knew or sus-
pected of Percy Nolen's relations with
your
The question was put so sternly and
gravely that Mrs. Tunstall was unable to
maintain the composure of her counte-
nance. She stammered and hesitated,
and looked first one way and then an
other. Was it possible that the inspector,
in some incomprehensible manner, had
become acquainted with the truth?
"He-I-never asked him the reason
Of his opinion" she faltered at length.
''There are many ways of getting rid
of man when he ceases Ito be conven-
lent and becomes Objectionable" con-
tinued the inspector. care you ready
to stand before me and take your oath
that you honestly and truly believe this
man guilty of stealing your pocket book?
Remember, Mrs. Tunstall, your answer
may be the means of condemning an in
nocent man to irrevocable ruin!"
But she had gone too far to withdraw;
selfshness and cowardice alike forbade
it. Yet it was not without an inward
struggle that left her pale and trembling
that she said desperately, Eyes, 1 be-
lieve he stole it!' and then, 1.-The evil
dence shows tit is not r.
9Th t is for neither you nor me to de
termine, Mrs. Tunstall," returned the
inspector, rising. Il will not detain you
any longer now; you will be informed
when your sworn testimony will be re-
CURED hereafter" And Mrs. Tunstall
went out.
The inspector resumed his seat, and
addressed himself to the prisoner.
Il was willing" he said, ''for the sake
of your family and friends, to give you
every chance to which you were entitled.
You had every advantage of training
and education; but you have lived fool
ish and useless life, and this is the result
of it. You were in need of money-in i'm
mediate and pressing need of it; you had
tried every way you knew to get it; you
found those bank notes in your hand this
morning, and you were unable to resist
the temptation to take them. From a
gentleman you became-what you are
nowr'
Inspector Byrnes, said Percy, firmly
but alphabetically, Il did not commit that
crime. 1 have lived bad and useless
life, and no doubt | deserve to suffer for
it; but honestly believe that no tempta-
ton would have induced me to do such a
thing as that am obliged to you for
suggesting to Mrs. Tunstall thatshe would
reconsider her accusation; but it will be
no satisfaction to me to escape in any
such way. If l cannot prove my limo
cence, 1 may as well be in Jail as any
where else"
Innocent men are very seldom con-
victed," said the inspector impassively.
1.-The facts are against you. No one but
you is known to have been near the muff
after Mrs. TunstaIl laid it down. You
admit having had it in your hands; the
pocket book was found in your pocket
1t is true that the bank notes We're not
found; but the presence OF Il confederate
would account for that. 1t is for you to
judge whether or not your plea should
be guilty"
Il am innocent, and that's the end of
it" said Percy. Il don't expect to prove
it. The evidence is all the other way.
Somebody must have taken the purse
out of the muif and put it in my pocket;
as for the notes, know nothing. You
say may have had a confederate. If
he was near enough to take the notes
from me, he was near enough to rob the
muff; and if he could do that, it would
remain to be proved that he was my con-
federate, or that knew anything about
him. But all that would be in my favor
is guess work, and all that's against me
is fact; SO it's bad look out"
Undoubtedly it is" asserted the in
pector quietly. ''There was only one
minute when a thief could have taken
the money and left the purse IN your
pocket; and that was when you were
talking to Mrs. Tunstall and her back
was turned towards the muff. If any
one had been near enough to put the
purse in your pocket, you could hardly
expect a jury to believe that you would
not have noticed him."
Percy maintained gloomy silence for
q moment; then his expression suddenly
Eghtened and he exclaimed, 'Now that
think Of it, some one did touch me on
the arm, and when 1 turned round he
asked me if his cane was standing
against the counter. Perhaps he was
the mani"
'Can you describe him?" asked the in
spector indifferently.
Percy shook his head. "He had a dark
mustache, believe; he might have been
under 80, but hardly looked at him.
doubt if 1 should know him again"
The inspector stroked his mustache.
THAT will hardly do" said he. you
have no defense at Ill. The best advice
lean give you is to make clean breast
of it. Such a defense IS that is worse
than nothing
Probably you are right; but l am in
nocent, and will never say the con-
trary," replied the prisoner with sigh.
$50 far as l am concerned, don't care
much what becomes Of me. owe
money 1 can't pay, and-there are other
things. am sorry for my mother and
sister; but 1 never was much good to
them; and Judge Ketelle will look after
them, l hope"
SIS Judge Ketelle friend of yours?"
"He was my fathers partner, and is
the executor of his will"
"Do Won wish to send for him? There