Morris tribune., 1896-03-25
ANOTHER CRIME.
FROM THE DIARY OF INSPECTOR BYRNEs.
By JULIAN HAWTHORNE, Author of
The Great Bank Robbery An
American Penman," Etc,

copyright by o. NJ. Durham, and published,
through special arrangement by the American
Press Association with Cassell & Co, New York
and London.l
'sIt would need a strong motive to give
weight to such an accusation" Martin
remarked.
''That may be true for those who have
made up their minds beforehand not to
believe him guilty. But the jury will
not be composed of such persons"
"What is the evidence you speak of"
asked Martin.
He has been short of money for some
time past" said the inspector. "There
is reason to think that he borrowed sum
of money several weeks ago. But within
the last two days his needs became very
pressing. He incurred debt Of nearly
thousand dollars at play last night.
The money has to be repaid this evening,
under pain of social exposure. He was
unable to borrow again, and it made his
situation very trying. When a man in
that condition suddenly find two or three
thousand dollars in his hands, and re-
members that they belong to woman
whom he has every reason to think will
not betray him-well, when a skillful
lawyer tells that story to jury, it would
not be surprising if it makes some inn
preston on them"
''You don't take any stock in such
rubbish yourself, Inspector" observed
Martin, with laugh.
The inspector lifted his eyebrows. Il
should be very apt to take the same view
of the case that the judge and jury do
after l know what it is, he returned,
quietly; and that was all that could be
got out of him
They now descended to the basement
and were conducted to the imprisoned
Percy He was NUN more composed
than they had expected to find him. In
fact, he had experienced such intense
and varied emotion during the last few
hours that no matter for discomposure
was left in him. Martins presence
seemed to crafty him. He asked the
judge about his mother and sister, and
received his somewhat rose colored &C
count of their condition with apparent
Indifference.
But you will be able to judge of them
for yourself at dinner the Judge added,
kindly
You mean when am out on bail?'
Certainly; that will be in couple of
hours from now"
Are you going to furnish bail, Judge
Ketelle?"
Undoubtedly am Who has a bet
ter claim to stand by your fathers SOM"
Percy was silent moment. Have
you ever believed that | might possibly
have committed this crime?" he asked at
length.
mo such idea has ever entered my
head. lam surprised you should ask me
such a question" said the judge, with
an emphasis that indicated that he was
little hurt by the insinuation.
Percy took a long breath, and as he
looked UP his face betrayed signs of a
feeling that he had not hitherto be-
trayed. you are good man." he said
in husky voice. II wish had had the
sense to trust you long ago. was afraid
you would pitch into me, and the fact
that l deserved it made it all the more
difficult to face it. l don't know
whether you have heard that borrowed
a thousand dollars from my mother two
months ago. She wanted to consult you.
but / wouldn't let her. This morning
went to her again; but she didn't have
anything, and there was nothing for it
but to apply to you. | was on my way
your Office when this thing occurred. If
T bo1 not han TO coo hor1 H.
He broke off and altered his phrase-.'if
things had not taken the turn they did l
should long since have received your
blowing up and the money, paid my
debt, and-but it turned out otherwise"
''Who is the man to whom you lost
the money! inquired Martin.
''His name is Henry Cotton. answered
Percy. "You know him.
ITO be sure; and he is friend of Tun-
STALLS" returned Martin, thoughtfully
"Upon my word, the luck is against you
Will you answer me one question:"
eff l can"
'FYou can, and we are among friends
Are you cured of certain lady?'
Percy laughed, and that laugh of bit
ter resentment and humiliation was
more convincing answer than any words
could have framed. 1t put all doubts to
rest.
'Ahl' calculated Martin, with an ex-
preston of satisfaction, ''then it will be |
all right!'
At that moment an officer came with
the information that the court was ready
to decide the question Of bail, and the !
whole party proceeded to the court room.
The transactions there were brief and
not particularly complicated. Mrs.
Tunstalls lawyers professed to consider
the case an especially grave one, and re-
quested that bail be fixed at the full
amount permitted by law. Counsel on
the other side maintained that the charge
against Mr.. Nolen wAs a preposterous
one, and demanded that he be allowed
go on his own recognizance. The court,
after due deliberation, declared that the
facts against the prisoner, though not
conclusive, were sufficient to warrant a |
prima facie evidence of guilt, and re-
quired bail to be furnished to the amount
I