The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1890-11-08

her money 10 pay the premiums on her
husbands life insurance policy who.
! when the money Was paid. would share
the proceeds with her. Was this not a
| conspiracy to defraud the company:
/ Ought it not he met by another con-
| spiracy to cheat the law:
Yes" said the president.
"No." said conscience in laundering
tones at first, but in mildcr voice pres
entity, and at last with a gasp and Il
gurgle-its death rattle
The president had triunphcd. Con-
science was dead.
When Mr. Roberts came the next day.
he knew from the welcome that he re-
ceivcd that the president had determined
to let him have the money 10 retain able
attorneys. but he was calm. business like.
a he had been during his previous call.
Il must have proof that you are
brother of David Roberts. said Mr..
Hazcldt, re>umiu" the subject they had
abruptly dropped the day before. Ibis
brother, and acting IL good faith"
That is easily done" Mr. Roberts
NOduccd some documents and handed
them to the president, who scrutinizcd
them carefully
That power of attorney is all right,
and the other memoranda are quite
satisfactory. but must have you indcnti-
fed is his brother"
Come with me 70 the Tombs and my
brother will introduce me to YOU. The
warden will identify him"
NO. that would not do at all. as /
don't waat to be known in this thing"
''Send some one with me-
the president thought a moment and
then said he had plan
Have you photograph of yourself?"
he asked.
Mr.. Roberts had one. fortunately.
Gone to see me tomorrow
"With pleasure. said Mr. Roberts, and
he left the office with pleasant good
day"
On Mr. Roberts coming into the presi-
dents private office on his third call he
was cffusively received by that officer,
who said:
"Your brother identified you at once
| managed the thing very skillfully.
We will give you the $4,000 provided
you tell me your brothers plan of defense,
so | can judge of its merit"
at is very simple, but it must be kept
a profound secret until the trial On
that condition only can impart it to you,
even if by withholding it should forfeit !
your aid. My brothers life depends up
on the secrecy with which the plan of ;
defense is kept"
Il promise faithfully to keep it not as
my secret. but as the secret of the ac-
cused."
The night on which the murder was
the chambermaid in my
brothers house turned the hall clock
back one hour, SO that she could have
her beau until eleven. instead of
ten o'clock, as usual. The murder was
at nine. AT that time my
brother was at home. as his wife will
say just as he entered my room the hall
clock struck ten His house is half 4
mile from the scene of the murder. so
there is an alibi established"
"But how did you learn about the
rlock."
Il overheard remark that led me 10
make inquiries among the servants. and
the morning before the house was astir,
hey set the clock right. They do not sus-
DcCt that the little incident has anything
70 do with the case. and do not mean
hat they shall until they are on the
stand giving their evidence"
Capital" said the president. With
hat evidence and with sharp lawyers to
make the most of it. an alibi can be
without doubt"
1--WE need able lawyers to take care Of
he case. because circumstantial evidence
5 very strong against my brother"
"A poor lawyer makes strong case
weak is a legal maxim of mine" said
he president as he turned 70 write 4
heck for $4,000. 4
A clerk soon brought the money. and
he president pai'i it to Mr. Roberts. who
profUse thanks and withdrew
q lose no time in retaining II firm of
amous lawyers.
The next morning the president learned
rom his newspaper that David Roberts
lad retained -as his counsel the we'll
Known and able criminal lawyers Breck-
,nridgc and Bartel, who intimated to the
cporicr that the accused had u strong
lefenSe' Mr. Hazcldt rubbed his hands
md was pleased with his business ven
ure-it Was outside the usual lines, of
curse. bar pretty sure to save ehe COM
,any $40, 900.
On the the day of the trial imperative
business called the president to Western
ity. 1t Wa there that he learned the
lie was startled.
and. at first. he could not ,
'elieve that the Geographic message to
he newspapers was correct, but he ascer- ,
aimed later in the day that the jury voted ,
unanimously for cnuNictinn ON The fir.