Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1893-09-23

able to give all my thoughts to consid-
GRAFTON of what was to come ON the NOR
row and to the course which | might
pursue in case things took bad turn.
Toward morning had made up my
mind, and then l got some three hours
sleep. l believe John paced his room all
night.
shall not attempt any orderly record
of what happened the next day. A
crowd of persons filled the room in
which the examination was being held.
We met o1nnre outside. she looked bril-
liant and superb, but there was an ex-
preston about her mouth that troubled
me-a defiant curve which at such q
moment was not suspicious.
A chair, had been placed in the dock,
in which she took her seat. She held
her head up, and her bearing was indie
scribably vigorous and buoyant, as if
she We're trimming over with life and
health. But no sign betrayed that she
was even conscious that hundreds OF
eyes were scrutinizing her. They OPP
pressed her not a whit. She was as self
poised as princess
Some preliminary formalities passed.
Then
What is your namc?"
''Sinfire."
"And Christian name"
Il have none"
The law started and put up its spec
tacles. The people murmured aloud
with a hundred voices John caught his
breath and was about to start to his feet,
but with an immense effort he sat back
and folded his arms and set his teeth
upon his lip. An intense stiffness fol
lowed the first sensation.
will you explain your meaning" said
the interrogation at length.
MY mother was gypsy. She was
never married; that is ALL" was the
steady reply.
Have your-your friends been made
aware of these facts!"
This is the first time | have men.
toned them"
And you bear no relationship to the
Mainwaring familyy'
81 have claim upon them"
"Of what nature"
81 decline to say"
Again the murmur and the stir. Sin
fire looked at her examiner and smiled.
He turned and whispered something to
those near him. Then he said:
You probably had some object in
coming to them"
Yes, had"
"What was it?'
81 wished to meet Mr.. Henry Main
waring."
Mr. Henry Mainwaring7 The gen.
tleman who
who has been murdered. Yes"
What was your business with him."
She paused a moment, and during that
moment her eyes rested on John and me.
Then she replied, ITO return him a
ring"
The lawyer had another whispered
consultation, resulting in the question:
Had you known Mr.. Henry Main
waring before meeting him here?
She bent her head ard answered indif
ferently, Il had previous knowledge OF
him."
"Were your sentiments toward him OF
"a friendly character"
mo" she replied firmly and distinct
ly. 81 regarded him as an enemy"
AT this point Judge DAILY interposed.
u consider it my duty to inform you,
he said, that you stand in a very crit
ical position. You are suspected-ah-
in connection with the murder of the
deceased gentleman. You are gravely
and it would appear recklessly com.
promising your own case. advise you
before going further to select some legal
representative to watch your interests.
You need to be protected against your
SELF"
Thank you, but I have already de-
clined to engage counsel" she replied
Il understand what am doing. shall
betray nothing that care to conceal"
The judge muttered something and
pushed back his spectacles. The lawyer
continued:
do you care to conceal the reasons
for the enmity you have admittedY'
"If Mr.. Henry Mainwaring were
alive" she answered, 81 should take
pleasure in telling in this place the cause
had to hate him. But he is dead, and
have no further quarrel with him. He
has paid his debt. though not to me-"
The audience were by this time as
much excited as attentive, and no move
ment nor intonation of this beautiful
and mysterious stranger WAS lost upon
them. The next questions referred to her
proceedings on the afternoon preceding
the murder, to which her replies were in
substance as follows:
when was told of the plan to en-
trap the burglars, | asked to be per-
mitted to join the party. but they would
not allow it. made up my mind to be
there nevertheless, but said nothing to
any one about my determination. &C
companied the party down to the lake in
the wagon. All went except DR.. Frank
Mainwaring. who was confined to his
room by illness. had my gray horse.
which Mr.. John Mainwaring gave me.
brought along. and also my riding habit
The reason gave was that ! wished
to ride round the lake the next morning.
but the real reason was that intended
to ride back to Cedarcliffe that night
After arriving at the lake we I'M
packed the wagon, stabbed the horses
and made our preparations for the night
III the log cabin. Then Mr. John Main
waring took Tom, the groom, aside and
told him of the scheme to capture the
burglars. Tom had not known of it be-
fore. The three other servants We're not
told. We had our supper, and then the
two gentlemen and Tom saddled their
horses and rode off. 1t was a dark night,
though it did not threaten rain. After
they had gone, Mrs Mainwaring and
sat for awhile in front of the door of the
cabin, looking ont across the lake. By
and by she became sleepy and proposed
that we should go to bed. The servants
We're already asleep. ! helped her to bed
and then lay down myself. don't know
what time it was; 1t was dark When
felt sure that Mrs. Mainwaring was
asleep, got up and put on my riding
habit and went out to the stable. took
ont my gray horse and saddled him
understand the management Of horses.
! took with me small pistol, a derrin-
ger"