The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-06-29
BO0K,II
The Law and It's Victim.
CHAPTER xIv.-contlnued.

CHAPTER xIv.-continued.
"Tallman! Let Us Have TaIiman!
He asked him if he had seen Mr.. Jeffrey
go In on the night in question; If he had
ever seen any one go In there since the
wedding; or even If he had seen any one
lettering about the steps, or sneaking into
the rear yard. But the answer was always
no; these same noes growing more and
more emphatic, and the gentleman more
and more impenetrable and digntf1ed as
the examination went,on. In fact, he was
as unassailable witness as have ever
heard testify before any jury. Beyond the
fact already mentioned Of his having OBJ
served light in the opposite house on the
two evenings in question, he admitted
nothing. His life In the little cottage was
SO engrossng-he had his organ-his dog
why should he look out Of the window?
Had 1t not been for his usual habit of let,
ter of an hour before finally locking up for
the night. he would not have seen as much
as he did.
Have you any stated hour for doing
this?" the coroner now asked.
Yes; half past 81.
"And was this the hour when you saw
that light?'
Yes, both times
AS he had appeared at the station house
at few minutes before 10, he was prob
ably correct In this statement. But, not
withstanding this, did not feel implicit
confidence in him. He was too insistent
in his regret at not being able to give
greater assistance in the Acknowledgement
of a mystery SO affecting the honor of the
family of which he was now the recognized
head. His voice. nicely attuned to the
occasion, was admirable; so was his man
tner; but mentally wrote him down as one
should enjoy outwitting If the opportu
nifty ever came my way.
He wound up with such distinct repe-
tition Of his former emphatic assertion as
to the presence of light In the old house
on Tuesday as we'll as Wednesday evening
| that Mr.. Jeffrey's testimony in this regard
received decided confirmation. I looked
to see some open recognition of. this, when
suddenly, and with persistence UNDER
stood only by the police. the coroner re-
| called Mr.. Jeffrey and asked him what
proof he had to offer that his visit Of
| Tuesday had not been repeated the next
night and that he was not in the building
| when that fatal trigger was pulled.
| At this leading question a lawyer sit
ting near me, edged himself forward as If
he hoped for some sign from Mr.. Jeffrey
which would warrant him in interfering
But Mr.. jeffrey gave no such sign. I
doubt II he ever noticed this mans proX-
unity, tho he knew him well and had often
employed him as his legal adviser in times
gone by. He was evidently exerting him
self to recall the name which so per-
sistently eluded his memory, putting his
hand to his head and showing the utmost
| confusion.
II can not give you one he finally
| stan1naered- "There is who could
tell-t only could remember his name
Suddenly with loud cry which escaped
him involuntarily, he gave a gurgling
laugh and we heard the name ''Tallman''
| leap from his lips.
The witness had at last remembered
whom he had met at the cemetery gate
at the hour, or near the hour, his wife
lay dying In the lower part Of the CITY,
| The effect was electrical. One of the
| spectators-some country boor, no doubt
so far forgot himself as to cry out loud
enough for all to hear: ''Tallman. Let us
have Tallman."
OF course he met with an instant rebuke
but I did not wait to hear it, or to- see
order estored, for a glance from the cor
| oner had already sent me to the door ir
search Of this new witness.
My destination was the Cosmos club, fol
Phil Tallnan and his habits and haunts
were as we'll known in Washington as ths
! figure Of Liberty on he summit Of the
capitol dome. When I saw him did no
wonder. Never have seen a more am.
liable looking man, or one with a more
absent minded expression. To my equer,
has ito whether he had ever met Mr.. JEFF
rey at on near the entrance to Rock Creel
cemetery, he replied with an amazed lool
and the quick response: &
+, "Of course did. 1t was the very nigh
that his wife But what's up? You lool
excited for a detective.''
l Come to the morgue and see This ties
timony of yours will prove Invaluable t,
Mr.. jeffrey
shall never forget the, murmur Of sup
pressed excitement which greeted US as
reappeared before the coroner and Jur.
accompanied by the gentleman who hat
been called for in such peremptory tone
a short time before. @- .'*-,~r.-
Mr.. Jeffrey, who had attempted to ris
at our entrance, but seemed to lack tn
ability, gave a faint smile as Tallman'
good-natured face appeared; and the cor
oner. feeling. perhaps, that some cords ar
liable to break If stretched too strongly
administered the oath and made the nee
essary inquiries with as little delay as wa
compatible with the solemnity Of the oc
casion.
The result was an absolute proof tina
Mr. Jeffrey had been near Soldiers HON.
as late as seven, which was barely hfteel
minutes previous to the hour Mrs. Jeffrey
watch was stopped by her fall in the oil,
house on Waverly avenue. AS tn
distance between the two places could no
| be composed in that time. Mr.. Jeffrey
alibi could be regarded as established.
When we were all rising, glad of an ad
tournament which restored free naovemen
and an open interchange Of speech, sud
den check in the general rush Gale dou
attention back to Mr.. Jeffrey. He wa
standing facing Miss futile, who was stu
sitting in a strangely immovable attitud
in her old place, He had just touched he
on the arm, and now, with a look of alarm
he threw UP the veil which had kept he
face hidden from all beholders.
+ A vision of loneliness greeted us. bu
that was not all. It was an unconsciou
loneliness. Miss futile had tainted away
sitting upright in her chair.
CHAPTER XIV.
White Bow and plnk