The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-08-16
From an Unidentified Exchange.

1t was the evening of the first day or
the Doltshire assize. The judge, on the
application of the prosecution, had
fixed the following morning for the trial
of Captain Charles Oliver for the mur-
der of Miss Alice Despard, the gorver-
ness of Sir Robert Roland's children oy
his first wife, and he. with his junior.
Mr. Delloe and the solicitor Mr.. HOOK
er (uf the firm of Harpy 4 Hooker),
were in conference as TO the course 10
be followed the next morning.
Il haven't had time to look at my
brief as yet" said Mr.. Britely. II know
nothing of the facts in the case. You
conducted 1t before the magistrates.
Belize. didn't you?"
YES, l did," answered Mr. Relloe.
And with remarkable judgment.
added Mr.. Hooker. (Mr Belize was
Mr. Hooker's prospective son.in-iaw3
well. perhaps you wouldn't mind
giving me an outline of the facts proved
In evidence?" said Mr.. Rritely.
with pleasure" responded Mr. Bei-
loe. ..'rhe victim was Miss Alice
Despard, governess of the children OF
STR Robert Roland by his first wife.
The prisoner is Captain Charles
oliver. a friend of Sir Robert and the
present Lady Roland. He appears 20
have made the acquaintance OF the
governess during his visits TO Roiand
Park, hut nobody suspected that there
was more than'the merest acquaintance
between them until the engagement OF
Captain Oliver and Miss NaNerloh WIS
announced
"Who is Miss Waverton?" asked Mr..
Britely.
"The half-sister of Lady Roland.
believe" replied Mr.. Hooker.
"Oh. l wasn't aware or that, saio
Mr.. Relloe
Yes. and they say all their fathers
property went TO her." added the soil
citor" and that there's not any love
lost between them"
Yes" said Mr.. Britely, as he made
a note in the fold of his brief.
well. anyway" Mr.. Belloe went on.
"after the announcement of captain
divers engagement 1T was noticed that
Miss Despard became very despona-
ent."
.'Who noticed it," asked Mr.. Briefly.
We'll, | think Lady Roland did.
answered MIR. BeEoe. beginning to turn
over his brief. Il don't know that any
one else particularly referred to 1t.
well" continued Mr.. Belloe, putting
aside his papers, "Olivers engagement
was announced on Tuesday. Sept. t.
and on Saturday. the l1th, Miss Des-
pard retired rather early. 1t is clear
now that. instead of going 10 peu, she
went into the park. and, as far as can
be discovered, she never returned
again, but her absence wasn't noticed
till the morning. Then search was
made for her, but 1t wasn't TIL evening
her body was found. 1t was ultimately
discovered among some laurel oushes
not far from the highway, with a pui-
let-wound right through her head. Al
first 1t was thought to be suicide. but as
no pistol could be found near the spot
the police eventually suspected muir
der. They searched the girls boxes
and came across number of loVe-let-
ters. They were simply signed Chartle,
but there seems to be no DOUBT they
were written by Captain Oliver.
Does he dispute it?" asked MI
Briefly
Not seriously, but he says. queerly
enough''-said Mr.. Hooker.
LET US hear the evidence given nrs,,
interrupted Mr.. Britely.
well, this discovery led the police to
make inquiries as to divers Where-
abouts on the night of the murder. he
refused to give any information and ne
was arrested. After his arrest the
groom-Horsley-sta that he hau
seen him. he believed. on the night OF
the murder in Roland park, not far
from the place WncEc thc ccNy w.
found. and that he was then accompa-
MED by lady. Horsley seemed relur-
tant to give his evidence, and refused
to swear positively that the lady with
the prisoner was Miss Despard. Two
independent witnesses swore positively
TO seeing Oliver in or about BraXby DUR
ing the same evening. and policeman
met him after midnight walking to-
ward Peterborough, where he could
catch the morning express TO town.
"A pretty conclusive Identification,
said Mr.. Britely. especially in the alb
sence OF evidence to show that he was
somewhere else"
He made a most remarkable state
ment," put in Mr.. Hooker.
wait, please; wait until we have
done with the evidence" said Mr.. Brite-
ly. us this the case as 1t appeared be-
fore the magistrate?'
practically it is in outline an
swered Mr.. Belize.
II understand" said Mr.. Briefly.
"Now just answer me one or two ques-
tons as to the nature of those love let
ters. Did they contain any promise OF
marriage?'
"Oh. yes; over and over again." an
swered Mr. Belloe They are very fer
vent and they continually repeat prom
ises to marry as soon as the obstruction
is removed"
Construction removed" said Britely.
ref1ectively. Was there any other wo-
man with claims on Oliver?"
mot as far as know. The prosecu-
tion said this referred to his pecunlary
difficulties"
''He was in pecuniary difficulties?"
"Oh, yes; he admitted that"
''Well, let me see," said Mr.. Britely.
ha Tn, hivn1
mo. not exactly traced" answered
Mr.. Belize; but the police found in his
lodging several revolvers, and the bull
let hole In the girls skull might have
been made by the bullet used for any
of them"
"The bullet itself was not found?'
mo; they searched all about, but
could not find a trace Of It,"
well, now as to the wound" con-
tinued Mr.. Britely. What do the doc
tors say about it?'
''They say that the pistol must have
been fired very close to her head; the
hair about the wound Is singed and
blackened. and one Of the doctors was
strongly of the opinion that 1t was fired
by the girl herself"
'Wait a minute. Who said that? |
asked Mr.. Briefly.
"Dr. Barber, I think. Yes. DR.. Bar
ber."
VERY WELL" said Mr.. Briefly. noting
down the name. '"Now as to the posi- |
tion Of the wound?'
"It was on the right side OF the head, |
Just above the ear, and went up In a |
sloping direction"
Il see," said Mr.. Britely and he re-
fected In silence for a moment. Then. |
turning to Mr.. Hooker, he asked
"What does Oliver say about all this?" |!
well. sir, he tells a most incredible |
story" began the solicitor.
Never mind, Mr.. Hooker; you Just |
repeat IT," put In Mr.. Britely.
'Well, sir, at first he would say moth |
ing, except that the whole thing was rot |
and he couldn't be convicted. for ne