Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-06
CHAPTER VIII.
Tho Fog Thickens.

ne COTOQcT 3 court was CTOWQeO, Us IL
always is at any hearing presenting fea-
lures Of morbid or sensational interest, and
Goldberg. with an Unborn love of the the
Gtric, arranged his witnesses so as to lead
gradually to the climax, the denouement.
He put the janitor on the stand first. and
then had Simmonds to tell his story. Some
medical testimony followed as to the exact
nature of Thompson's injuries and the bull
let, which had been extracted, was put in
evidence-it was plainly much too large to
have come from Miss Croydons pistol. FL
nslly Miss Croydon herself was called. A
little gasp of delicious excitement ran
through the crowd as she appeared at the
door of the witness ROOM Here was a TIT
bit to touch the palates of even the jaded
police reporters.
Godfrey, looking at her as she came
steadily forward to the stand, felt his heart
warm with admiration. She seemed per-
fectly composed, and, If not perfectly at
ease, at least as nearly 80 as any woman of
her position could be in such place. Cod
frey was pleased to see Drysdale In close
attendance, and he nodded to him encour-
agingly.
Miss Croydon told her story clearly and
with an accent of sincerity there was no
doubling. II differed In one detail from the
story she had told the night before Thomp-
son. she said, had perceived the intruder
and there had been short. fierce struggle
before he fell under the blow OF the pipe
He was not unconscious. but was strug-
shot him.
Jury. coroner, reporters listened with
close attention. Godfrey watched her with
a grim little smile at her superb assurance,
her perfect poise Then he glanced at the
jury and smiled again as he noted their
seriously respectful faces. When she had
finished, Goldberg began a brief examina-
ton.
THAT is not precisely the story you told
last night, Miss Croydon" he suggested.
mo- she said. "nQ-I startled
then, too overweight to think quite clear
ly. This morning I endeavored to recall
exactly what occurred
And you believe that you have sue
ceeded?'
Yes, sir; am sure of It,"
You would say, then, suppose that the
deceased had been killed in self-defense."
Il am not familiar with the niceties OF
the law, SIR" she answered steadily
But there was q struggle?'
Yes SIR"
And the deceased was endeavorine to
inf1ict some injury upon his Adversary"
He was doing his best to do SO, should
say. SIR
The coroner paused for a moment and
glanced at the jury. but none of them
seemed disposed to ask any questions
Ihen Goldberg made a sign to Simmonds
He left the room. but reappeared in a mo-
ment, leading in Jimmy the Dude
Not Until they were quite near did Miss
croydon perceive them; then, as her eyes
met the prisoners, she half started from
her chair, her face like marble AS for
Jimmy. Godfrey was astonished to perceive
the fascinated gaze he bent upon Miss
Croydon. What was the connection be-
tween them? Where could they possibly
nave met? Was Jimmy guilty after all?
Certainly Simmonds had no longer any
doubt of 1t. to Judge by his beatifc express
sion of countenance.
1t was over in an instant-Miss Croydon
grlpped back her self-control and the pris-
oner managed to remove his eyes from her:
but Goldberg had perceived their agitation
and the gaze he bent upon the witness
grew perceptibly more stern.
Miss Croydon" he began. You have
described the guilty man as short and
heavy-set, with dark moustache turning
up at the ends. Look at the prisoner be-
fore you-is he the manP'
He is not" replied the witness in a firm
voice and without an instants hesitation.
Jimmy was again watching her with ex-
pressive eyes.
You are sure?"
Perfectly sure; there is little or no re-
semblance."
You do not know the prisonerf'
NO. sir; have never before seen him."
He was talking with the Janitor last
night when you entered the Marathon"
Il had on a heavy veil at the time and
could not see distinctly"
The answers came promptly. calmly.
mond's crestfallen face. Was he justified
In pushing her further7 He glanced
at her again from under half-closed lashes,
and her imperious beauty did it's work
THAT is ALL" he said abruptly. lyon
may go, Miss Croydon"
Godfrey watched her as she lowered her
veil. rose, stepped down and took Drys-
dale,s arm. She had carried it off well, ex-
ceed1ngly well. Her attitude had been so
frank. so candid. SO openly sincere that he
himself was almost convinced by It, But
for that instant's agitation when She first
perceived the prisoner, he would have been
quite convinced. She had told her story
and answered Godberg's questions with
clear cheek and steady eye-with a direct
ness which had plainly carried great weight
with the jury. Wonderful was the adjec-
tive which Godfrey used In describing her
to himself.
But what had that instant's agitation
meant? Was Jimmy really guilty? Was
she trying to shield him. out of gratitude,
perhaps, for defending her? Had Jimmy
risen to that height OF chivalry2 See with
what fascinated gaze he was watching
her nowi
She passed from sight, the door closed,
and he leaned back In his chair to hear
Jimmy tell smooth story of his doings
the night before. Magraw and half a dozen
others confirmed the tale; 1t was a really
good alibi, carefully arranged there was
nothing to disprove it, and at the end, the
jury without retiring handed In the usual
verdict of death at the hands of a person
unknown.
When il was over Simmonds crooked at
pouiicy al HHSer, ana together
they went down to the detectives private
office.
'Sit down." said Simmonds: II want to
talk to you. We're up against tough
proposition"
Godfrey sat down and looked at him.
Yes, we are" he agreed.
What do you think of it?"
I'm more inclined to think Jimmy guilty
than / was last night"
you saw, then, that she was trying to
protect him?" asked Simmonds eagerly
Il saw there was some understanding be-
tween them. Don't let your theory of
Jimmy's guilt carry you away Besides,
there's a good deal to say on the other
side. There wasn't enough finish about 1t
to look like Jimmy. He'd think a long
time before he killed man with third
person looking on"
But If 1t was self-defense?"
Godfrey raised his eyebrows expressively.
II think she was drawing the long bow
myself agreed Simmonds, quickly; 'and
there can be only one reason for it-she's
trying to protect Jimmy, or whoever it was
killed Thompson. 1t was Jimmy. tell
you--he was jealous of her
"Oh, nonsense interrupted Godfrey i'm
patiently. "A love affair between those
two! You've been reading French ro-
mances, Simmonds!"