Catoctin clarion., 1897-04-22

sending the Jewels to be abandoned.
Mr.. Trent, after dinner, had left the
club, saying that he thought Of going
up town. He was then looking well and
cheerful
John Simpson, an ex-soldier, testified
that he had long been acquainted with
Mr.. Trent, and had latterly been serving,
in conjunction with his wife, as care
taker of the new house. Mr.. Trent had
frequently come to the house alone, but
never to spend the night until February
twenty five. He had come in that night
about nine o'clock, and gone up to the
library. He was alone, and seemed not
to expect callers
We will for 4 moment interrupt Mr..
Simpsons testimony ut this point to give
that of Peter Ferguson, porter of the
Federal club, to the effect that, at about
ten o'clock on the night Of February
twenty five, q gentleman giving his
name as Keppel Darke had called at the
club to ask for Mr.. Harry Trent. Fer.
guson had told him that he was not in,
but, being further questioned by Mr..
Darke, had said that, for all he knew,
Mr.. Trent might have gone up town to
look at his new house. Mr.. Darke had
thereupon taken his departure. Fergu-
son had noticed that he carried some
thing wrapped up in paper in his hand.
To return to Mr.. Simpson. He said
that at about half-past ten o'clock he
had heard a ring at the door of the new
house, and on opening the door had seen
the prisoner, Keppel Darke, who asked
to see Mr.. Trent ON important business.
he had in his hand long paper bundle.
Witness admitted him, and he went up
stairs. How long he remained witness
did not know, as he had not heard him
go out. Witness then described how he
had found Mr.. Trent dead on the floor
Of his study the next morning with
dagger in his back. Witness had admit
ted no one but Darke into tho house that
night.
The dagger was produced in court and
identified by Simpson. twas of Japa-
nese manufacture, very sharp. with
curiously carved hilt.
Mrs. Simpson, called by the defense,
testified that between eleven and twelve
o'clock on the night of February twenty
FIVE, she and her husband being then in
bed. and her husband asleep, she had re.
membered having left candle burning
in an upper room of the house. She had
feared possible FIRE, and had therefore
put on her dressing gown and gone up
stairs to put out the candle. As she
passed the library door she looked
through, 1t being ajar, and saw Harry
Trent and another gentleman talking
together. The other gentleman was
short-shorter by . good deal than Mr..
Trent-and had dark beard or whis-
kera She had only glimpse Of him in
passing; he stood rather sidewise toward
her. She did not think he was seated,
but could not swear that he was not.
She was sure she saw hair on his face.
he did not at all resemble the prisoner.
She was able to give no explanation OF
his being in the house. Mrs. Simpsons
evidence was the only thing Of any
weight brought out in favor Of Darke,
but the old lady weakened little under
the district attorneys severe croas-ex-
animation.
Daniel Parker, . policeman on duty
near the house on the morning Of Feb
ruary twenty-six, testified that he was
summoned by the witness Simpson at
fifteen minutes past six a. m, and de-
scribed the position in which he found
the body. After making q brief survey
Of the premises he got assistance and
communicated with the captain Of his
precinct
Frank Munroe, . detective, said that
the case had been put in the hands Of the
detective bureau at eight o'clock on the
morning Of February twenty-eix. and
that he had been detailed to investi-
gate it. There was safe in the study
at the new house; 1t was open, and
it contained papers; by whom it had
been opened. and whether or not any
papers or valuables had been ab-
stracted from it, there was nothing to
show. The windows Of the rooms were
close and fastened; there was no sign
anywhere of forcible entry. From in
formation he obtained, he believed that
tho prisoner, Keppel Darke, was the last
person with Mr.. Trent before the lat
ter's death. He obtained warrant for
his arrest, and served it on him at his
studio, in West Twenty-third street, at
ten minutes before eleven o'clock a m.
February twenty-six. The prisoner, just
before his arrest. was overheard to say
something about killing the deceased. On
being arrested he asserted his innocence.
Olympia Raven gave her evidence very
quietly and clearly. She had known the
prisoner for year. She had commits
stoned him to paint her portrait for pre-
sentation to the deceased. The twenty
fifth of February was the day appointed
for the last sitting. She had arrived
with her mother at the studio ut half
past ten. The prisoner had informed
her that Mr.. Trent had told him the
night before that he was contemplating
marriage with her. She had denied the
truth Of this, and her denial had brought
out the avowal of the prisoners love for
her, which she had reciprocated. At
that moment the detective had entered
and made the arrest
Cross-examlned, she deposed that she
had frequently seen japanese knife
similar to the one produced at the pris-
oner's studio; she had admired it greatly.
She had noticed nothing In the prisoners
manner or speech at any time that was
inconsistent with his perfect innocence
of the charge. She believed him utterly
incapable Of such q crime.
Mrs. Raven; recalled, said that she had
thought Mr.. Darke behaved very queerly
on the morning of February twenty-six.
He looked disheveled and haggard; and
was violent in his manner She had sup