The daily morning journal and courier., 1899-10-12

III iio HldHIler. He explained that there was no troupe at the theatre at pres ent, and that the only excitement was the trial of man who was supposed to be concerned in a daring coach rob- bery committed some little time before in the neighborhood.
 'Ah! that would be interesting, said the stranger. "I should like to see that. Stuck up the coach, did hep
 Well, they say he did, but he him. self sWears' that he is innocent, and that he was in Brisbane at the time, the coach was stopped. If you would care to hear the trial, sir, I can get you a seat easily"
 "I guess I'll take you up," returned the stranger, and it was agreed that the proprietor should escort the great man to the coul thouse on the morrow, and by his influence secure him good | seat, just to enable him to while away the time until Viscount Thurlton came along.
 It so happened. however, that when they arrived the body of the court was full, so that the distinguished looking American was accommodated with a seat on the bench, where he not only had good view of the proceedings, but was seen and known by every one as the friend of Viscount Thurlton, and a wealthy American who was go- ing to buy up the new digging town ship to work it'' as an ordinary man might work potato patch.
 The prisoner was standing in the dock with his eyes cast down listening in despair to the conclusive evidence against him. Presently he raised his eyes at some direct question from the Judge, and was about to speak when his eyes fell upon the stranger sitting on the bench. He paused and stag gered, then gripped at the air and fell senseless in the dock.
 When at last he was brought round he stood up and, pointing to the stran- ger, gasped for breath and tried to speak.
 What is it, my man?" said the Judge. Steady yourself. I ask again, have you anything to say in your de- fence?"N
 "Oh, Your Honor!" said the prisoner at last T am saved-saved at the last moment I have already said that I was in Brisbane at the time of>the rob- bery, and there is the man that can prove it."
 All eyes followed the direction of his finger and rested upon the stranger, who started, looked confused then irr tated, and finally bewildered, as if he fancied the prisoner must be mad.
 If that gentleman will answer my question:" resumed the prisoner. 'I ,J,,I ,I,,n ho nj, to to one that I was in Brisbane at the time I said.''
 The stranger shifted in his seat ner- vousy, and at last said in tones of an- noyance and generalization:
 Your Honor, I've never to my knowledge set eyes upon the prisoner before, and I don't see how I can fix up his innocence. Besides, I guess I didn't come here to be questioned by every son of a gun that holds up a mail coach-I beg your pardon, Your Honor, but I'll allow the annoyance is considerable anyhow
 His Honor admitted it was, but straightway appealed to the strangers better feelings on behalf of the pris- oner until he was somewhat modified, and remarked, "Waal, if he thinks it's straight wire he can start in, and I'll answer his questions. I don't mind taking him up on that
 The stranger was then sworn, and as he stood in the witness box the prisoner addressed him.
 Sir" he said, do you remember on the third of July a man running after your hat in the street in Brisbane, and bringing it back to you on the pave ment?"
 'I can't say that I do,' replied the stranger after a little thought mo, I can't fetch it.
 DO you not remember his saying that he was out of work and his three children were starving? And then you cannot recall giving him a sovereign and saying, Here's a shilling for you ?''
 The stranger was silent as if he wished to remember the occurrence, but presently he shook his head slowly and said, NO, it's no use-you must be mistaking me for some one else"
 "Stay!' cried the prisoner again, in a voice of terrible tension, for it was his last chance; do you remember, DeIOI6 SlNluS liiS soNciciSI, tiidt lhS man told you he had fought in the | Crimean War and could show wounds that he had helped his country, but his country wouldn't help him? Yes, you must remember his showing you the scars-one at the back of the head, another on his right breast"-
 The stranger interrupted him with a sudden exclamation. q do, I do! The scar on your breast is a long one-a sabre cut. Your Honor. I remember | meeting this man! I must apologize; his life was in my hands, and I | nearly let him fall through. He is the | man I saw in Brisbane"
 There was a profound sensation in | court as the prisoner steadied himself | and wiped the cold moisture from his | brow.
 Can you remember the date on | which this happened?" asked the pros- counsel.
 "Ah, I'm afraid I can't" the stran | ger returned; but I know this-it was | three days after the Carlisle Castle ar l rived at Sydney, if it's possible to find | out what that date was"
 The newspapers of the first week in | July were then consulted, and it was | found that the Carlisle Castle arrived | at Sydney on June 30 so that three | days afterward brought it to the exact |