The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1894-07-14
By LUKE LANCET.

dence oil the officer. under whose direc-
ton the arrest was made. The marks
OF violence. fresh upon the neck OF the
dead man, the newly signed check, found
on the desk in the room where the deed
was committed, the death certificate and
the finding OF the coroner's jury; all
these details were carefully pursued, To
establish not only the fact that the deed
had been committed, but To arrange the
evidence that il might be easily connected
by the link Of Lawrence Layton's testi-
mony. clearly fastening the crime upon
Marsden.
The sLillful prosecutor carefully eyad-
ed every objection az the defense and
wove his web Of testimony about the nc
cused with n master hand. Public inter
est in the proceedings did not increase ns
the hours wore on. The gist Of Layton's
testimony was generally understood in
advance by the statements he had made
before the coroner's jury. With facts
leading mp To tho commission OF the
crime pointing so plainly to Marsden, 1t
seemed impossible that legal strata
gem on the part Of the defense could al
ter the outcome.
To Nan, however, who had received
from Jacks lips the news al the conclus-
ions of Doctor Remington ind tho in
tention OF his attorneys to introduce the
doctors expert testimony into evidence
when the prosecution had rested It's
case, the situation assumed lcss dub
ious aspect. That Layton would swear
that he entered the room as her uncle
fell from Mnrsden's hands mo- one doubt
ed, but this the defense hoped to offset
10y the testimony OF Doctor Remington,
regarding the cause 81 Mr.. Wescott's
death and advancing the theory TINT
Layton entered the room Mt the moment
Marsden sprang to Mr.. Wescott's assis-
tance. With these hopes bounding high
in their breasts, Nan and jack had
parted few hours before md all the
damaging evidence Of the prosecution
had failed To cloud them. But. alas!
How soon they were TO be dashed asun-
der upon the treacherous rock oi Lay
tons cunning! Ovorhearing n conyersa-
ton between Marsden's attorneys. he
quickly decided to Illustrate their plans.
The court day was drawing TO close
when Layton was called to testify. Az
| he laced Marsden 10 advance to the wit
ness stand, his sullen features darkcncd.
For the first time during the trial. Mars
dens countenace changed. The sorrow
ful, passive light in his eyes was sup
planted by Wild, defiant fire: Iris check
flushed and his jaws set themselves
closely together. ;As Layton reached
the witness box, he raised his hand to
be sworn. II trembled violently and ai-
ter he had received the oath and seated
himself he gazed nerveously about the
room. The direct examination institut-
ed, the false witness explained his mis-
sion TO the Wescott homo on the evening
Of Mr.. Wescotts death, ~ being for the
purpose OF paying his respects to the old
gentleman.
1--WE care nothing about your mission
there" the court interrupted. 1T il
what you saw-not what you went
for"
1--WE are coming to that very point. II
Your Honor please" returned the prose.
cutor, rising.
"Mr. Layton, what did you hear M
you approached the door Of Mr.. Wes
colts libraryP"
81 heard Mr.. Wescott cry out loudly.
Ibid you then rush into the room?"
III did"
"What did you see there?"
Mans heart ceased pulsnting. How
easily might the licndish mind, whcnc,
had emanated all this misery and dis
grace, invent that which would close Ia,
last avenue for Mnrsden's escape from
the peril OF Layton's vindictive plot
Layton dropped his furtiyo eyes e
the table before him. His voice quiv
cred as ho said;
I'll saw Marsden choking Wescott al
he Tell To the floor"
Az the words left Layton's lips, Mn
knHpcu TOT DfeutH. IltT lhte WlH uehtn
ly pale and she fixed her large eyes il
blank, glansy stare upon the author O
her misery. Marsden's head dropped
forward. All was lost His last hope In,
been blighted 10y the yillainous tongu,
he had supposed had said it's worst
His attorneys were staggered with sur
prise. Circumstantial evidence was n,
longer Ia the consideration. OF wha
avail would be Renington's testimony
arrayed against the barrier Of cold, con
trary fnctsg Tho surprise Of the prose
/ cutor was little lcas marked. lie was he
I wildercd. Layton had communicates
20 him no such knowledge in advance q
the trial and that which he had consid
/ cred difficult case had now been trans
/ formed into n simple prosecution. Afte
; regaining his composure, the prosecute
snid:
"Thon you swear that you Jaw thi