Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-10-30
Obe HolladaY Case

CHAPTER III.

SHOM the DrealnleSS 'silence thd L. followed her answer she saw
 that she had somehow dealt her
 mistress a heavy blow, and the sobs burst out beyond control, choking her I could see how my chiefs face turned livid. He had driven another rivet in the cnain-just the one it need ed to hold 1t firmly together. My head was whirling. Could it be possible, after all, that this gentle, cultured girl was really such a fiend at heart that she could strike down l put the thought from me. It was monstrous, unbelievable!
 The coroner and the district attorney were whispering together, and l saw the former glance from the blood stained handkerchief on the desk be- fore him to the sobbing woman on the stand. It needed only that-her fden- tifcation of that square of cambric-to complete the evidence. He hesitated a moment, said another word or two to Singleton, then straightened up again in his chair. Perhaps he thought the chain was strong enough; perhaps he saw only that the witness was in no condition to go on.
 Anything further, MT Royce| he asked
 Not at present, sir" answered our junior hoarsely. think he was just beginning fully to realize how desper ate our case was.
 we will dismiss the witness, then, temporarily" said the coroner. we shall probably recall her later on."
 The maid was led back to the wit ness room on the verge of hysteria, and Goldberg looked over the papers on his desk.
 we have one more witness" he said at last, Miss HoIladay's coach man, and perhaps little testimony in rebuttal. If you wish to adjourn for lunch, Mir. Royce, I'm quite ready to do so."
 Thank you, sir," said my chief, vel coming an opportunity to pull himself together and prepare plan of de- fense q do wish it."
 "very well, then. We'll adjourn till 2 o'clock" and be pushed back his chair.
 May I have one word with you, sirT asked MT. Royce.
 Certainly"
 T should like to see Miss Holladay a few moments in private. We wish, of course, to arrange our rebuttal.'
 The coroner looked at him for a mo- ment with eyes in which lust tinse o' curiosity aicEered.
 'I'u Ue very giSG TO show FoH TO see bef in private' De answered ceaoHS. Il regret greatly rhat we couldn't md you last night, so that you could have opportunity to prepare for this hear been quite fair to you, though don't see how delay could have altered matters, and in a case of this kind prompt ac- ton is important. I had no intention of placing Miss Holladay on the wit ness stand, so thought it best to pro- ceed at once with the inquest. You must admit, sir. that as the case stands there's only one course open to me-"
 q fear so," assented the other sadly ''Its most incomprehensible case. The chain of evidence seems absolutely complete, and yet I'm convinced - as every sane man must be-that there Is in 1t some fatal flaw, which, once dis covered, will send the whole structure tottering It must be my business to And that flaw"
 Strange things happen in this world. MT. Royce" observed Singleton, with philosophy born of experience.
 "The impossible never happens, sir!- retorted our junior. T hope to show you that this belongs in that category"
 Well. I hope you will" said the dis trict attorney. I'd be glad to find that some one else is guilty
 I'll do my best" And Mir Royce turned to me. Lester, you'd better go and get some lunch. You look quite done up
 Shall bring you somethingT' asked. GOT. better still. have a meal ready for you in half an bour? Rotiu's IS just around the corner.
 He would have refused, think. had not the coroner interfered.
 You'd better go, Mir Royce. he said. ~You're looking done up yourself Per haps you can persuade Miss Hoiiaday 10 eat something. I'm sure she needs it."
 'Yery well. then. Have two meals feadt in half an hour. IesteEa" he said. "and lunch we can bring back with us. I'll % to Miss Holladay now and then go direct to Rotin's."
 He hurried away after the coroner. and walked slowly over to Rotin's to give the necessary orders. chose a table in a snug corner. picked up a paper and tried 70 read. Its one great item of news was the Hollsdsy case. and I grew hot with anger as I saw how unoueStioninZiy. how oomplacently 1t accepted the theory Of the dauEhta<s guilt Still. asked myself, was if to blame' Was any one to blame for thinking her guilty after hearing the evidencef How could one escape itf Why. even T.
 Prepostsrous, I tried to reason calm ly; to find an opening iH the net. yet how complete 1t was. The only point we had gained so far was that the mysterious visitor had asked for Mfr. Holiday. not for her father. and whss aa inhnitesimal print it was. SHppos ing there had been a quarrel. an es- arrangement. wauId uBt she naturally have usel those ve-v words: Afts< all did not the black syes. the fuE