The advocate., 1895-06-12


house tonight and come here early as shall be anxious
The note was passed about through the crowd but
nobody recognized the handwriting.
A pompous and solemn looking surgeon was next
called to depose concerning the wound which had
killed the murdered man. Despite his many big
words, this learned gentleman succeeded in making
the jury understand that in his opinion, the de-
ceased was unquestiOnsbly dead. While bullet en-
tering the right temple and lodging in the crown on
the opposite side of the head, might not in all cases.
necessarily cause DEATH if skilled surgeons attend
ance were had in time, yet, under all the circum-
stances, he was inclined to the opinion that the
wound had, in the present instance killed the de-
ceased. In view of the fact that there was nothing
to indicate that the deceased had been recently ad-
dicted to cholera, been suffering from smallpox,
heart disease delirum tremens nor anything of that
kind; that it was clear he had not been drowned,
nor hanged, nor blown up in a poWder-miL explo-
sion; that he had not fallen from tree and had not
persuaded house to fall on him; while it was GER
tain that a bullet had ploughed through quarter
section Of his head; this was safely conservative
expert opinion upon which the jurors felt they could
rely with confidence
Then the coroner inquired:
"DOes the prisoner desire to make any statementP"
And Sydney Stone, with handouts holding his
wrists together, Reuben gazed in establishment
and admiration at the noble figure of the accused as
with manly bearing he rose and looked around upon
the men in whose power was his life. He noted that
the face Of the alleged murderer was the one noble
face in all that assemblage
"I have only to say that the note found under Mr..
HotchkisS had never been in my possession and that
am as ignorant of everything connected with this
tragedy as is any gentleman here saw the note for
the first time when it produced here awhile ago,
and did not even know of its existence until after
my arrest last night. But wish to ask few ques-
tionS, Mr.. Sheriff. Where was 1 arrestedP'
CAT the residence of Mr. Higgins"
"The father Of Jed Huggins, spoken of in that
noteY'
"The same"
"Wss I concealed?'
"No, sir; you were in the front room conversing
with the family when we entered"
The jury looked interested.
'Did you search me upon arrestng meP"
81 did, thoroughly; and again at the Jail; and
found not dollar upon your person.
The jury looked more interested.
"Mr. Higgins, at what hour did reach your
house last EVENING""
"It was sfore sundoWn. You was with us to sup
per-"
"Hsd been away during the evening?"
"No, sgd; you stayed right there takin' about old
times and you had just agreed to stay all night when
the sheriff come and took you.''
The jury looked still more interested. Surely, he
could not have received that warning motel
"Thst is all. Accept my thanks for your cour-
tesy sir" addressing the coroner.
Isaac Stilwell feared the game would escape, SO
evidently favorable an impression had this testi-
mony, and Sydney's presence and bearing made upon
the jury. The old merchant had been wondering
who could be the traitor in the conservative camp
who had given the information contained in the
note; and as Sydney was about to retire asked:
"Do you know that handwriting, sir?"
'I believe do" answered Sydney.
"Whose is itP"