The Washington times., 1904-05-08

true" / put in 'All that these men
have said is true. with two exceptions.
L am not the man known as Thomas
Firfin, and 1 did not shoot William Lee.
went there TO get a marriage certif-
cate. I got II and was about 10 go when
some one shot the parson. thought
he had committed suicide
But l found this in his pocket" said
James Lee, handing over my revolver.
There is one cartridge fired"
Much depends on this said the
chief. Smith & wesson. thirty-twO.
Has the bullet been found?"
The bullet" I said. lis embedded in
the skull. between the inner and outer
crusts."
Cad. What cool scoundrelIr' ex-
claimed John Lee. He examines his
victims"
I'VE must wait for news from the sur
geon," said the chief. ''Who is up
there?''
''Dr. Fulford."
But want to say" I put in again.
that 1 fired that shot at crow on Iny
way to Lees house.
AT a crow,' said the chief, incredu-
lousy. "A man who was laboring I'M
der the excitement that you were. on
his way after a marriage certificate, to
take time TO shoot at a crow? II seems
strange. But 1 rust tell you that in
your own interest you had better keep
quiet. Anything you say now will be
used against you at your trial 1 must
lock you up, of course. What lawyer
do you wish TO see?''
James Stage. Sof Genessee Street"
James Stage Why, he is the pros
ecuting attorney for the county"
IT know that. He is also my cousin.
my name is Arnold Stage"
Are you the cousin who has been
visiting him?"
81 am"
At this the chief unused a little.
We'll. Lee" he said. "of course the
case looks rather black against the doc
tor now. But 1 really believe a mistake
has been made. We must not be TOO
sure. Everything depends on the find
ing OF the bullet, and whether William
returns TO consciousness to make a
statement
He'll never return" said John.
'Oh. don't know. II 1t can be done
FuIford will do it. We will keep the
prisoner here till we hear from Fulford
and Stage"
1 had expected to be set at liberty at
once. But as the Lees and Fitzgerald
filed out. and 1 was conducted to a cell,
began to see that 1 was indeed in a
difficult position.
That unfortunate shot at the crow
had been the means Of fastening sus-
picion upon me. Had the chambers of
my revolver been filled, then there
would have been some chance TO talk.
1 waited fever;shly for a report from
the surgeon. In an hour 1t arrived.
The chief came to me, and l noted a
peculiar look on his face.
Il have sent for Stage" he said "but
ne is at Rome on a criminal case The
report las come from Fulford. He is
an exi'sgI on gunshot wounds. He has
the bullet. 1t proves to be a
32-caliber. for a Smith & Wessen. I am
afraid you are in a pretty deep hole"
/ was stunned by this piece of infor-
nation I did not reply. There was no
reply that came 20 my mind that could
be in any way convincing.
But by degrees ] became more calm
realized I had a desperate fight on my
hands. fight for my life.
A~clt- III tie dLlCIlOOu JduleS OLdRk
,atae in. His face was white and drawn.
He was accompanied 10 the cell by the
chief, and 1 could see that lie had the
OF this official.
He brought chair inside and sat
iown with groan.
Well" he said coldly, tell me all
here is to tell"
There is nothing much TO tell" 1
said. struck by his manner. You
knew that I Intended to go 70 Lees to
get a marriage certificate. Well. 1 went.
rode the bay. On the way over field
;hot at a crow just for fun. I did net
lit 1t. or that would help me now. Well.
had some words with Lee, who did not
wish at first to give me the certificate
threatened him with my revolver, and
him to give me one.
Il had entered through an open win
low. but forgot this. and turned to go
,ut through a door. Ny back was TO the
window when the shot was fred. 1 saw
10 one. Lee either committed the act
himself, or was shot by an enemy
A strained look came into my cousins
ace. 1t was ashen in color. He was
nervous.
The bullet fits your revolver" he
aid.
1T is a common size. I suppose you
ould find a hundred 80 Smith & wes-
ons in Utica"
But one chamber of yours was fired.
ant you-can't you make it out TO be
Good God,' l cried. jumping to my
Get. do you actually believe that I
hot Lee?"
Il can't see anything else TO believe" |
lie said. You know you said you hated |
hem this morning. You were hot
eaded and blind to reason. I am afraid /
Will go hard. 1 am. really. am
orry. Ny God. am sorry"
Well If you believe shot Lee, you /
ont want TO defend me-" I said.
He looked at me sadly.
Don't you understand" he said. 81
m the prosecuting attorney for the /
Ounty. l must take up the case for the
eople.
"Oh. and you will convict me. as you
onvicted Forrest, on circumstantial evil
ence."
Forrest was convicted on the testi-
lOnv or evewitnesses. That IS gener-
lily called direct evidence"
But he wasn't. The testimony Of
he eyewitnesses did not say that For
est struck Brand. IL was all circum-
tantial, the same as this is"
The sweat was pouring down my cous-