Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-12-27
CHAPTER Nv.

4SGoAoSSs ID lOoheu Ut ulHl Oh tne
stand, l would have sworn that he was
telling the truth, and very much
against his will. had always prided
myself upon my Judgment of human
nature. Had erred so egreglously in
this Instance? 1.-THE woman who was
with Holiday wore gown Of dark
green" Who was the writer of the
note? How did he know the color of
her gown? There was only one pos
sible way he could know--he knew
the woman. Plainly, too, he must
have been present Mt the morning hear
Ing. But, II he knew SO much, why
did he not himself come forward? To
this, too, there was but one answer
he must be an acconplice. But then,
again, IL lie were an accomplice, why
mould he imperil himself by writing
this note, for 1t could very probably
be traced? found myself deeper in
the mire, farther from the light, at
every step.
do you wish to summon any wit
nesses. Mr.. Royce?' asked the coroner
again. Il shall be glad to adjourn the
hearing until tomorrow il you do"
Mr. Royce reused himself witt, an eff
fort.
'Ihank you, SIR" lie said. AZ msy ask
you to do that later on. Just at present
! wish to recall Mr.. Rogers"
Very well,'' said the coroner. And
Rogers was summoned from the wit
ness room.
] looked ut him attentively, trying to
fathom his thoughts, to read behind his
eyes; but, look as l might, could see
nothing In his face save concern and
grief. He had grown gray in Holidays
office, he had proved himself hundred
times man to be relied on, he had
every reason to feel affection and graf
itude toward his employer, and / was
certain that he felt both. He received
q liberal salary, knew, and was COM
fcrtably well to do.
That he himself could have commit
ted the crime or been concerned in it
N any way was absolutely unthinka-
bic. Yet why should he lie? Above
all. why should lie seek to implicate
his employers daughter? Even If he
wished to implicatc her, how could he
have known the color of her gown?
What dark, intricate problem was this
that confronted US?
In the moment that followed saw
that Mr.. Royce was studying him, too;
was straining to find ray of light for
guidance. II we failed now
read the note through again - "a
gown of dark green" And suddenly,
by kind Of clairvoyance, the solution
of the mystery leaped forth from it. 1
leaned over to my chief, trembling with
eagerness.
@Mr. Royce" whispered hoarsely,
II believe I've solved the puzzle. Hold
Rogers on the stand few moments
until I get back"
He looked up at me astonisLed, then
nodded as seized my hat and pushed
anyway through the crowd. Once out
side the building, ran to the nearest
dry goods house-three blocks away 1t
was. and what fearfully long blocks
they seemed!-then back again to the
courtroom. Rogers was still on the
stand, but n glance at Mr.. Royce told
ne that he had ELECTED nothing new.
You take him. Les.er,' he said as l
sat down beside him. Pm worn OUT
Quiyering with apprehension, arose.
1t was the first time I had been given
the center of the stage In SO important
a case. Here wa; my Opportunity.
Suppose my theory should break down.
after all. :
mr.. Rogers began, you've been
having some trouble with your eyes,
haven't youT
He looked at me IN surprise.
"Why, yes, little" he said Moth.
Ing to amount to anything. How did
you know
My confidence had come back again
l was on the right track then.
II did not know" said, smiling fol
the first time since had entered thu
room, "but l suspected. i have hert
number Of pieces of cloth Of ditreren
colors. should like you to pick out
the one that most nearly approXimates
the color OF the gown your visitor wore
yesterday afternoon
handed him the bundle of samples,
md us did so saw. the district at
torney lean forward over his desk with
attentive face. The witness look ed
through the samples slowly, while /
watched him with feverish eagerness.
Mr. Royce had caught an mixing of
my meaning and was watching him
TOO.
There's nothing here said Rogers
at last, (which seems quite the shade,
but this is very near it,
He held up one OF the pieces. With
leaping heart, / heard the gasp of as
tonishment which ran around the room.
The jurymen were leaning forward in
their chairs.
"And what Is the color OF that piece:"
! asked
why, dark red. I've stated that al
ready" :
glanced triumphantly at the coro-
ner.
''Iour honor" said as calmly as l
could, Il think we've found the flaw in
tAS SAdlu. MI. ltOSeTS IS eVlueutIy COL
or blind. As you see, the piece he has
selected is dark green.'
The whole audience seemed to draw
q deep breath and little clatter of ap-
plause ran around the room. could
hear the scratch, scratch of the report
srs' pencils. Here was 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 oil. I'll never forget itv'
But Rogers was staring in amaze
ment from me to the cloth in his hand
and back again.
"Greenv' he stammered. Color blind!
Why, that's nonsense! I've never sus-
pected itv'
That's probable enough" l assented.
'The falling is no doubt recent one.
Most color blind persons don't know it
until their sight is tested. OF course
we shall have an oculist examine you,
but think this evidence is pretty CON
elusive"
Coroner Goldberg nodded, and the
t,t,