The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1905-12-08
AMystery |
Of I w O
Continents
by
BURTON E. |
STEVENSON |
Copyright. 1903. by
Henry Holt and
Company
6be
HoHudQY
Case


plause ran around the room. could
hear the scratch. scratch Of the report
ers' pencils. Hero was q situation aft
er their hearts desire! Mr.. Royce had
me by the hand and was Whispering
brokenly In my ear
MY dear fellow. you're the best Of
us all. I'll never forget it:'
But Rogers was staring In amaze
ment from me to the cloth In his hand
and back again.
"Green" he stammcred. "Color blind.
Why. that's nonsense! I've never sus-
pecte1 It" ~
That's probable enough" asSented.
'"The failing l. no doubt a recent one.
Most color blind persons don't know It
until their sight Is tested. or course
Me shall have an oculist examine you,
but 1 think this evidence Is pretty con-
elusive"
Coroner Goldberg nodded. and the
district attorney settled back In his
chair.
We've no further questions to oak
this witness at present." continued.
'Only I'd like you to preserve this
piece OF cloth. SIR" aud I handed Ii to
Goldberg. He placed 1t with the other
exhibits on his desk. and l sat down
again beside my chief. He had regain
I'd all ~ cid dns energy ana kaan-
ness. He see.ned another man.
Il should like to rec..n Miss Holla-
days maid. II you please" he said, and
the girl was summoned. while Rogers
stumbled da2edly or to the witness
room.
"You'rc quite sure your mistress
wore a dark rcd gown yesterday after
noonr' he asked when the girl was on
the stand again.
''Oh. yes, sir; quite sure"
1T was not dark green2 Think
carefully now"
II don't have to think" she rstorted
sharply. with toss Of her head.
Miss Holiday hasn't any dark green
gown, nor light one either. She never
wears green. She doesn't like It. 1t
doesn't suit her"
THAT will do." said Mr.. Royce. and
the girl went back to tho witness room
without understanding In the least tie
meaning Of the questions. Now, let
us have the Office boy again." ha said,
and that youllg worthy was called
out.
"You say you didn't see tho face of
that woman who loft your Office yes
terday afternoonT'
mo, SIR"
"But you saw her gown?"
''Oh, yes. air.
"And what color was itq"
Dark green, air."
'"That will do." said our Junior, and
sank back In his chair with a sigh of
relief. the solution had been under
our hands in the morning, and We had
missed it. Well, we had found IT now.
Gentlemen" he added, his voice
airing, his face alight, rs he sprang
to his feet and faced the jury, "I'm
ready for your verdict ! wish only
to point out that with this one point
the whole case against my client falls
to the groundl 1t was preposterous
from the very firstv'
He sat down again and glanced at
the coroner.
Gentlemen Of the jury" began
Goldberg. II have merely to remind
you tha. your verdict, whatever IT
may be, will not ffnarly affect this
case. The police authorities win con
tinue their Investigation in order that
the guilty person may not escape. !
conceive that 1t is not within our prov
ince to probe this case further-that
may be left to ADLER and more expe-
rienced hands-nor do I think we
should inculpate any one so long as
there Is q reasonable doubt of his guilt
We await your verdict"
The jury filed slowly out, and
watched them anxiously. In face Of
the coroner's instructions. they could
bring In but one verdict, yet I knew
from experience that a jury is ever an
unknown quantity. often producing the
most unexpected results.
The district attorney came down
from his seat and shook hands with
both Of u.s.
THAT wGs a great strokev' he said,
with frank admiration. Whatever
made you suspectT
Mr.. Royce handed him the note for
answer. He read 1t through and stared
back at us In establishment.
why" he began, "who wrote this p
That's the note that was delivered
to us awhile ago." answered Mr.. Royce.
"You know as much about 1t as we do.
But 1t seems to me pretty important
piece Of evidence. turn II over to
you"
Important cried Singleton. IT
should say so! Why, gentlemen" and
his eyes were cleaning, "this was writ
ten either by an accomplice or by the
woman herselfr'
My chief nodded.
Precisely" he said. I'D get on the
track Of the writer without delay"
Singleton turned and whispered
few words to O clerk who hurried