Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-11-23

been quite fair to you. though don't see
how delay could have altered matters.
and In a case OF this kind prompt nc.
ton is important. I had no intention
of placing Miss Holiday on the wit.
ness stand. so | thought it best TO pro.
coed at once with the inquest. You
must admit, sir, that as the case stands
there's only ono course open to me-"
81 fear So assented the other sadly.
cts n most incomprehensible case.
The chain of evidence seems pbsolrtclv
complete, and yet I'm convinced "a
every sane man must be-that there ia
in 1t some fatal flaw. which. once dis.
covered, will send the whole structure
tottering 1t must be my business to
find that flaw"
Strange things happen in this world,
Mr. Royce" observed Singleton. WIN
philosophy born OF experience.
"The impossible never happens, sir''
retorted our junior. II hope to show
yon that this belongs in that category"
well, hope you WILL said the dis
trct attorney. I'D be glad to find
that some one else Is guilty.
I'll do my best" And Mr.. Royce
turned to me. Lester, you'd better 90
and get some lunch. You look quite
done up."
shall bring you something's"
asked. "Or, better still, have meal
ready for you in half an hour? Rotins
Is Just around the corner"
He would have refused. I think. had
not the coroner interfercd.
You'd better go. Mr.. Royce" he said.
you're looking done up yourself. Pcr.
maps you ran persuade Miss Holiday
to cat something. I'm sure she needs
it,"
VERY well then Have two meal,
ready in half an hour. Lester" he said.
land lunch we can bring back with
US. I'll go to Miss Holiday now and
then 70 direct to Rotins."
He hurried away after the coroner
and ! walked slowly over TO R0tinl
to give the necessary orders. chose
table in snug corner. picked M
paper and tried to rcad Its one great
item Of news was the Holiday case.
and grew hot with anger ns I saw
how unquestoningly. how complacentlv
II accepted the theory OF the daughters
guilt Still, | asked myself. was it 10
blame? Was any one to blame for
thinking her guilty after hearing the
evidence? How could one escape it,
Why, even /
Preposterous. tried to reason calm
ly; to find an opening in the net, yet
how complete il was The only point
We had gained SO far was that the
mysterious visitor had asked for Mr..
Holiday. not for her father and what
an infinitesimal point it was. Suppos-
ing there had been quarrel, nm es-
arrangement. would not She naturally
have used those very words? After
all. did not tde black eyes. the full
lips. the deep colored cheeks bespealS
strong and virilc temperament, depth
of emotion. capacity for swift and vi
client anger: But what cause could
there be for quarrel SO bitter. 50
fierce. that it should lead to such a
tragedy: What cause? And then sud
| denly wave of light broke in upon
but there could be one. Capacity for
emotion meant capacity for passion If
she had lover, if she had chung to
him despite her father. knew his
reputation for severity. for cold and
relentless condemnation. Here was
an explanation. certainly.
And then | shook myself together
I iS,,,,r
the theory of her guilt. trying TO find
n motive for it. ] remembered her a.
l had seen her often, driving with her
father: l recalled the many stories |
/ had heard Of their devotion: reflected
how her whole life, so far Us | knew
il, pointed 10 Il nature singularly calm
and self controlled. charitable and low
ing AS 10 the lover theory did not
the light in her eyes which had greeted
our junior diSprOve that at once and
forever? Certainly. there was some
fatal law in the evidence. and il was
for us to find it,
l leaned my head back against the
wall with Il little sigh Of relief What
a fool had been. or course we should
find it, Mr.. Royce had spoken the
words; the district attorney had point
ed out the way. We had only to prove
an alibi, and the next witness would
do it. Her coachman had only to tell
where he had driven her. at what place
she had stopped. and the whole ques-
ton would be settled. At the hour the
crime was committed she had doubt
less been miles away from Wall street.
SO the question would be settled-set-
tied. too. without tho necessity of Miss
Holiday undergoing the unpleasant
ordeal Of cross examination.
1T is a most eXtraor- rdinary affair.""
said voice at my elbow. and l turned
with Il start to see that the chair Just
behind me had beens taken by man
who was also reading an account OF
the crime He laid the paper down
and caught my eye. "A most eXtraor-
binary affair" he repeated. appealing
to me.
nodded. merely glazing at him. too
preoccupied to notice him closely |
got an impression of a tlOrid face. Of a
stout. well dressed body, of al air un-
mistakably French.
You VIII pardon me. sir" he add
ed, leaning a little forward. AS a
stranger in this country. am much
Interested iipyour processes of law.