The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1895-08-02
Inspector Briggs was tnen cancu.

experience a woeful disappointment
for Briggs could throw no new light
upon the matter, and to Some of the
knowing ones ON the jury it was evident
the police meant to ask for an adjourn
ment of the inquiry. One facetious jury
man whispered to his neighbor that he
expected the police had got hold of some
very important clew.
As Inspector Briggs retired, Detective
Goringe quietly slipped into the court
aud took seat at the back, in place
where he was sheltered from observation,
behind one Of the narrow pillars which
supported the roof of the Vestry hall
Albert Steinworth was then called.
He stood and faced the poroner with
an air Of perfect self possession. After
stating who and what he was, Stein
worth was asked To state what he knew
Of the interior arrangements of tho house
l3 Felspar road, and to give whatever
other evidence he could give the court
and the jury as to what occurred in the
house within ',.s VtoW on the night us
the 9th of October and the morning ~
the 10th.
Steinwortn rapidly threw his evidence
into narrative form. He had retired to
his room shortly after 10 O'Clock had
struck, having previously arranged with
Miss Rodney, niece of the deceased,
he explained, who dwelt in the house,
that he would let himself out the next
morning shortly after o'clock He was
going to Devonshire for holiday and
intended to catch train at 40 from
| Paddington He did not wish TO give
! the people at No. 10 any trouble and in
! tended to have his breakfast mt some
hotel or restaurant near Paddington.
He had fallen asleep quickly ON the night
Of the 9th--he was sound sleeper and
had no memory of hearing any noises
during the night. He awoke about half
past 3, perhaps 20 minutes TO 9, dressed
| himself quickly, and then. to his utter
astonishment, he found he was locked
| into his bedroom. There was no bell in
his room. He had tapped loudly at his
door, hoping to wake Mrs Davorn or
! Miss Rodney, but had met with no re-
sponse. Then he had raised his window
in order to attract the attention Of the
/ first passerby He had not been many
minutes Mt his window when the police
man, Metcalf, appeared outside the
house. That was all he had to tell
The jury were favorably impressed by
the simplicity and directness of the
young man = narrative.
"Just one question, Mr. Steinworth, "
said the coroner, placing his hand to his
mouth to cover up yawn. "The police
and yourself declare the door of your
bedroom could not possibly be opened
the outside. Would it be impossible TO
force back the bolt of the lock from the
inside? The jury evidently wishes to
have clear testimony upon that point. "
II really do not know" answered
Steinworth, but l should say not
never tried it, Besides if the bolt was
forced back l don't see how the door
could be locked again from the inside.
am aware that each one of us who was
in the house that night stands in a
somewhat awkward position. II would
be idle for me to appear to ignore this,
and l consider it quite providential that,
nnder the circumstances, | should have
been n close prisoner that night "
There was some slight applause in the
court ns Steinworth answered the corn
ner
A solicitor representing the treasury
"a mighty browbeater-now rose, and
addressing the coroner and jury said
"We grant it would be impossible that
the witness who now stands before you
could lock himself into his bedroom.
am not instructed, may say, to insinu-
ate any charge against the witness, who
seems 10 have given his evidence In "a
very fair and proper manner, but we are
all Of rs naturally eager 10 clear up ev-
cry point--I say it with all due defer
ence. sir, " addressing himself directly
TO the coroner, who bowed and then
buried himself in short, snappy
series Of concerned with
this terrible tragedy. Now, / would
wish 10 direct the jury's attention
to the fact that, though it would be
impossible for either Of the lodgers in
the house-the two gentlemen, Messrs.
Steinworth and Yickery-to lock them
selves into their own rooms it would
not be impossible for either or both OF
them to be locked in by some third per
} son. "
II beg your pardon, sir, " interrupted
the coroner, but your remarks are quite
irregular. Have you any questions tC
ask the witnessT'
Excuse me, sir, said tho solicitor
bowling and turning his eyes upon Stein
worth.
"You say that during the night yor
heard nothing-no sounds or footsteps ol
voices or anything unusnalS"
, "No. Nothing.
, 'Would it have been possible for yor
10 have let yourself out Of your bedroom
window and TO haye let yourself bacl
, againy"
I II do not know. should think i
would be impossible.
o "Why do you think it would be i'm
e possible2"
9 "Well, must confess have not giyel
= much thought, if indeed any, to tn
matter. But / should say that it woul'
! be impossible even if were an athlete
which l am sorry to say l am not, &
!, lower myself down or 10 lift myself a.
h without coming 10 grief There is
flower box made Of very slender materia
: II think the police have referred 10 i
in their eyidence-coyering the Who'll
sill Of my window | could not do a
you suggest without breaking the box
p at least / should fancy sO-Or leayin
~ sofua lnarls uuon IL %