The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-10-13

did he say anything about a letter beinl
in the book?'
Yes. but that he had destroyed It."
And so you left him in South Americs
n returned to England?"
Yes, I left him in South America"
Ibid your" said a strange voice. "Ar,
you sure 1t was South America. John Len
nard?"
Who was speaking? The Judge. the jury
the opposing counsel, the general public. ali
stared in establishment at a tall man whit
had risen up and was standing by the side
Of the defendants counsel-a tall. dark man
with n quiet smile on his face.
Order. order" somebody shouted.
But no one needed that, for every eye was
turned on the witness in the box, whose ap-
pearance was that Of a man VINO saw some
thing which filled him with the greatest ter
ror. His face was deadly white: his eyes
were staring: his hair seemed to rise on
end, bristling with extreme dread. He
grasped the rail Of the witness box with the
clutch Of one whose limbs were falling in
their usual support.
Tit is-a-a ghost" he tried to gasp.
"He-he' Chis voice rose to a hoarse scream)
"wasEwas-deadl I saw him d%ead-quite
dead-they were-going-to bury him."
Then. with a sudden spasm. the witness
fell In a heap at the bottom Of the box.
A great tumult and murmur arose in the
court. Godfrey stood silent. a look Of regret
in his eyes, He said something to the coun-
sci, who. when the unfortunate witness had
been carried out Of court and silence had
been obtained. rose to speak.
"My Lord" he said. addressing the Judge,
This gentleman, Mr.. Godfrey Dennis IA
murmur ran through the court, "the right
full Mr.. Godfrey Dennis he continued. with
q special emphasis on the name. greatly
regrets the effect that his sudden
appearance has had on the witness.
Had he thought he would be 30
affected he would not have spoken.
He also bess to apologize for interrupting
the court. which. Of course, he should not
have done, but It Is hard to hear another
claiming ones name and family, and ac-
cusing one Of crimes Of which one is not
guilty. and remain silent. But II It is agree
able to my learned brothers, the counsel for
the plaintiff. I would ask for an adjourn
ment Of the case. that these new features
that have suddenly entered into it may be
carefully considered"
This was agreed to, and the Judge de-
clared the case adjourned till the next morn
ing-rather to the disgust of the jury. who
saw a possible p~rolongation of their deten-
ton. The defendants Withdrew. but Cod
frey asked If 1t would be possible for him
to see the claimant. Was he better?s
He used to have fits some years ago."
he said, IF he got very excited"
You Know him, then?' said Frank.
Yes, quite well. He was with my father
for a time-but he was an Idle fellow, ana
dismissed. Then 1 never saw him again
till I met him in Africa. He had come UP
with q party who were looking for gold.
l believe. 1 was sick at the time. and I be-
lieve the people I was with really thought
me dead-perhaps they were going to bury
me-they do those. things quick out there.
wnen l came to m senses again my
best rine wal gone-and my fathers Bible.
I had the letter safe in my pocketbook-hs
did not take that-I rather wonder at it
then l heard no more until I met Miss Ev-
ershed by that happy chance"
Just then a messenger came. Would Mr.. |
Dennis speak to the gentleman who had I
been taken III? Godfrey followed the maj
10 the room. where they had taken the
roken-down witness. He was sitting in an
easy chair. looking very white and bad.
Il did not mean to give You such a shock, |;
said Godfrey, kindly. but this
has got to stop. What made you do 1t"
Il thought you were dead mumbled the !
nan: Il swear I did: and 1 didn't see that
snouio 90 you any harm. You talked .