San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-08-11

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 the house
10 Felspar road, and to give whatever
other evidence he could give the court
and the jury as to what occurred in the
house within his view on the night of
the 9th of October and the morning of
the 10th.
Steinworth 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, a 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. Is any trouble and in
tended to have his breakfast at some
hotel or restaurant near Paddington.
He had fallen asleep quickly on the night
of the 9th-he was sound sleeper and
lSiu III VI
during the night. He awoke about half
past 5, perhaps 20 minutes to 6, dressed
himself quickly, and then, to his utter
establishment, 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-
Spouse. Then he had raised his window
in order to attract the attention Of the
first passerby. He had not been many
minutes at 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 mans narrative.
"Just one question, Mr.. Steinworth,
said the coroner, placing his hand to his
mouth to cover up yawn. 1.-The police
and yourself declare the door of your
bedroom could not possibly be opened
from the inside if it was locked from
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 I should say not. /
never tried it. Besides if the bolt was
forced back 1 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. 1t would
be idle for me to appear to ignore this,
and consider it quite providential that,
under the circumstances, should have
been close prisoner that night. Z"
There was some slight applause in the
court as Steinworth answered the coro-
| 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, l may say, to insinu-
ate any charge against the witness, who
seems to have given his evidence in
very fair and proper manner, but we are
all of us naturally eager to 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 a short, snappy
series of yawns-''concerned with
this terrible tragedy. Now, / would
wish to direct the jury's attention
to the fact that, though it would be
impossible for either of the dodgers in
the house-the two gentlemen, Messrs.
Steinworth and Vickery-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.
~ beg your pardon, sir, interrupted
the coroner, "but your remarks are quite
irregular. Have you any questions to
ask the witness?"
Excuse me, sir, said the solicitor,
bowling and turning his eyes upon Stein
worth.
"You say that during the night you
heard nothing-no sounds or footsteps or
voices or anything unusual?"
mo. Nothing
would it have been possible for you
to have let yourself out of your bedroom
window and to have let yourself back
again?"
81 do not know. / should think it
would be impossible.
why do you think it would be i'm
possible?"
well, l must confess have not given
much thought, if indeed any, to the
matter. But should say that it would
be impossible even if were an athlete,
which l am sorry to say am not, to
lower myself down or to lift myself up
without coming to grief There is a
flower box made of very slender material
Il think the police have referred to it
in their Misunderstanding the whole |
sill of my window. l could not do as |
you suggest without breaking the box |
81 1oos+ I cI,D,31d fa,cx, coo,. laavirc, i