The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1902-09-23
BY MARVIN DANA
Copyright, 1901, by Marvin Dana

"Why, it's addressed to mel!
Eyes; 1t is addressed to you"
"But l did not know l knew you
that is, didn't know you knew me-"
cried the astonished man.
mo, l suppose not" answered the
girl, with some embarrassment. Then
she added: But you must promise not
to open it for at least half an hour.
Will you give me your word?"
'Why. yes, of course" the clerk an
swered. with as much grace of manner
as one so puzzled could command
The mysterious visitor turned away
and went slowly down the corridor.
The clerk stared after her and saw her
pause and knock at No. IS. She wait
ed a moment, apparently for an an
swer, then opened the door and en-
tered. When the door had closed be-
hind her. he turned to a careful con-
temptation of the letter, which was ad-
dressed in dainty handwriting:
John Briggs, Esq, Grand Hotel"
The envelope could properly be
opened at half past 8. At a quarter
past the door of No. Is opened, but it
was Tenoni who appeared. He was
alone and hastily left the hotel without
word to any one.
'NOw, that's funny" meditated the
clerk. But he'll be back soon, l sup
pose"
But the moments dragged on, and Te-
noni did not return.
This is a curious business" the
clerk unused, and then, it being one
minute of half past 3, he opened the
letter It ran as follows:
Dear Mr. Briggs-C Circumstances must
not reveal have surrounded me with per-
lis. / must see Senior Tenoni today, but
he is a desperate man. If you should
hear me shrek. come to my help. and If
] do not come out OF his room by
o'clock have a search made for me. I
trust my life to you, for / have heard Of
your noble character from a mutual
friend. When we next meet, all will be
made clear to you. JULIA CRAMER.
Mr.. Briggs turned pale as he read
this extraordinary document.
In a few minutes the whole hotel
was in an uproar. Repeated knock
ings at No. 10 gained no response. Then
the door was tried and found to be
locked. Ultimately the police were
summoned, the door was beaten open,
and search was made. Nobody was
found, nor was there any trace of the
woman who, according to the evil
dence of eyewitnesses, clerks, bell
boys and porter, had entered there at
3 o'clock, but had never come out.
The same night Tenoni was arrested,
charged with having murdered his Wis.,
itor.
When Tenoni was arraigned, court,
jury, bar and public were much affect
ed by the charms of the victim as set
forth by the clerk, the porter and the
bellboys. The most strenuous efforts
on the part Of the police failed to dis
cover any other person answering to
the name or description of Julia Cra-
mer. 1t was hoped that Tenoni would
confess and explain the singular means
by which he had managed to dispose
of the body. But Tenoni seemed pos
sessed of dauntless effrontery and In
sisted that he had never known any
person named Julia Cramer.
When the accused had been sworn,
the following questions and answers
were given:
"Were you in your room at the
Grand hotel at the time when, as
stated by the witnesses who preceded
you, this person entered the hotel and
asked for your"
81 was not"
This answer caused much surprise
and rather increased the general feel
ing of the prisoners guilt, since a
number of witnesses had testified to
having seen him leave the room a few
minutes later.
did you have any visitor in your
room at the hotel on the day in ques-
tionY
81 did not"
A murmur of disapprobation arose,
but ceased when the counsel passed to
the clerk of the court a small parcel
which had been lying on the table be-
fore him.
II wish to offer in evidence the con-
tents of this parcel"
The articles were passed to the judge,
who examined them curiously. The
counsel then asked that they should
be examined by the prisoner, who,
however, hardly glanced at them, but
left them lying in his lap.
Counsel for the defense requested
that Mr. Briggs should be recalled
Then he asked:
"You have a very clear remembrance
of the appearance of this girl?"
n
ton, her form and face are forever
enshrined in my heart"
Every good quoth the counsel.
Snow tell me, if you please, what sort
of gown she wore"
at was blue skirt with white
stripes, and blouse of the same sort"
"And what sort of hair did she
haveT
Every dark, almost black, and lots
of it, curling all around her face"
"And her hatT
at was just an ordinary straw sailor
with blue and white ribbon"
would you know her again if you
saw herY'
would Ir' There was keen re-
proach in the tone of the exclamation.
81 would know her in the heart of
African
"You need hardly go that far to see
her." retorted the counsel with a
smile.
At the same moment the prisoner
made quick movement that attracted
the attention of the court and caused
the policeman guarding him to spring
forward. But the latter stopped short,
his eyes dilated with amazement, and
his surprise was shared by every one
whose eyes were turned on the dock.
Only Mr.. Briggs had not turned his
head, but now the counsel said to him:
"Just look, Mr. Briggs, and tell me If
you see any one in the courtroom who
reminds you of Miss Cramer."
The witness shook his head despond-
emily. but raised his eyes. They fell
full on a figure In blue and white
gown, on a sailor hat circled with a
blue and white band, on a dainty face
lighted by lustrous dark eyes that
seemed to pierce to the bottom of Mr..
Briggs heart. He gasped and cried:
Its shep
"And all the bellboys and the porter
echoed his cry, Its she"
There was silence for minute in
the courtroom. all eyes fixed on the