The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1895-10-22
BEHIND THE DOOR.
By EDMUND DOWNEY,
Avthor Of "A House OF Tears "Rcd
Post Park" Etc.
fCopyright. 1894. by Tiilotson & Son.I
XIV.
EVIDENCE.

grounds for promising to get me out of
the trouble in some mysterious way Of
his own. The post mortem had prOba-
bly, disclosed to him something unknown
and unsupported by the public, but his
failing to u up is a bad omen. He
may have thought he was on the track
of something when he spoke so reassur-
ingly to me and have afterward found
at the last moment that he was ~astray."
There was little or no doubt in Le-
clerc's mind as to the views which the
police held concerning him. They re-
garded him as the guilty man. Every
footstep of his was dogged. Even in the
coroner's court could he not see the eye
of that detective who stood behind one
of the pillars fixed ON him? He had
planned out no line Of defense, nor had
he any idea what sort of examination he
would be put through. The one dream
Of comfort was the tender, t~rustful
glance which Ethel had given him as
she passed ont of the court.
~"Your Nance said the coroner, look
ing at the young man.
Maurice Leclerc."
"You are, l see. described as a doc
tor"
Yes; l am a fully qualified physi-
clan" answered Leclerc, nervously. He
was disconnected by the coroner's man
ner.
will you tell the jury, DIR. Leclerc,
about your movements on the night of
the 9th of October, SO far as they con-
Germ the present inquiry"
Certainly, sir" said Leclerc, in an
alert manner About half past 10 on
Monday night l called at - Felspar
road. l had some important matters to
discuss with the deceased and Miss Rod
ney, and the interview took place in
Mrs. Davorn's bedroom, which she also
used as a kind Of sitting room. We had
somewhat stormy scene, and l left the
house about a quarter past II, being let
out by Miss Rodney. Z did not go
straight home. was in a violently agi-
tated condition-feverishly excited. l
have had a good deal to trouble me re-
Gently, and the interview with Mrs. Da-
worm upset me completely. wandered
about the streets for several hours,
scarcely knowing where | was going,
but l nave a recollection Of going
through Felspar rOad about / O'Clock in
the morning. Shortly before 2 o'clock l
let myself into my own house with my
latchkey, and went straight to bed. The
next time | visited ID Felspar road was
about s O'Clock on the morning of the
10th, when | heard that Mrs. Davorn
was dead. That is all l have to say, sir. "
There was 4 short pause after Leclerc
finished his statement, and then the
coroner lifted his head, knuckled his
eyes and asked if any one desired to
question the witness.
The foreman of the jury felt it was
his bounden duty to assert himself. He
had conquered the yawning attack, and
felt equal now to any emergency.
Might I ask the Witness said he, "if
he for any rcason-let us say even for a
lOke-lOcked these two dodgers into their
rooms"
"No, l did not, - answered Leclerc,
with an indignant shake of his head.
Nov, DR.. Leclerc," said the sole
itor for the treasury, rising, "we under,
stand you are engaged to Miss Rodney,
the niece Of the deceased"
lis this nccessary:' asked the coro
ner.
Yes, sir. | think You will see it is.
Il hav no objection to answer the
question. | am engaged to Miss Rod
ney."
"You had arranged to marry her OF
Thursday last and to leave the countr,
with her lmmediately:'
such Was my Intention
lyon knew this sum of 81 800 wa
in the bedroom of Mrs. Davorn?"
The witness is not bound to answe.
these questions unless he likes, " sait
the coroner, checking q yawn with HI
taper fingers.
II have no objection, sir" said LIE
clerc. Il was aware the money was il
the room"
You say your interview with tn
deceased was "a stormy one. Did she re
fuse to give her consent t. her niece
marriage with you?'
Yes"
Were you in pressing need of mon
ey on the night of the 9th of October?'
Il have been in pressing need O
money for some time"
Il wish the gentleman who is exam
lining the witnesses Oh behalf of tn
treasury" said the coroner, "woul
confine himself more closely to the OF
ject OF the present inquiry, which is t
ascertain how Martha Davorn came t
her death"
II am doing my best, sir, I assn,
you, said the solicitor. Then address,
Ing himself again to Leclerc: lyon lei
Ii Felspar road on the night Of tn
t. inst. about a quarter past II. Di
any one see You leave the house exce1
Miss Rodney"
mo one else that l am aware Of"
Mrs. Davorn was in good healt
when you saw her last?''
"She was greatly excited and ",
very flushed"
"But as a medical man you won.
~ she was in fairly good health?"
II should not like to answer as
nAdica1 man was mvsoh ~ TN =,