Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-09
THE ACCOMPLICE
FREDERICK TREVOR HILL
Copyright. 1905. by Harper & Brothers.
All rights reserved.

Yes
Did you know of Mr.. shaw's death
| Them
Where was she when the body was dis
/ covered?''
4 don't know"
| Who told her of the occurrence"
| Il don't know"
when did you first talk with her con-
| corning it,"
| i don't remember
The houSekeeper glanced despai ringIy
| ABOUT her, but there was no sympathy in
! the hundreds of eyes which met her APP
| peal, and the prosecutor sternly demanded
! her attention with a pitiless hail of ques-
| lions.
She no longer deliberated over her an
| swers but stammered out breathless eva
| sions and denials, regardless of the con-
! tradictlons they involved A denial was no
sooner uttered than 1t required another
| and another until the witness fairly stag
| gered IN her pittable plight. Apparently the
upperIroSt thought in her mind was to pro-
| tect the defendant, and her reckless eff
forts 70 accomplish this doubled the mis-
chief already done. At last the prosecutor
gave her a breathing space with a cues
ton which reused her Indignation
you suggested sending for Mr.. Barstow
didn't you, Miss Mapes?" he inquired.
Then it was Miss Emory who sent for
him?'
She did not
Then who did send for him?'
Nobody? He just happened to call?,
he was friend of Miss Emorys and
he heard of Mr.. Shaw's death and came to
tel Us not to talk to the newspaper peo-
pie OF the ofhclaLS any more than was nee
eSsary."
of his advce?"
Il wasn't asked about them
Il see. That is all, madam No. pardon
me. one question more. Have you always
occupied the same room in Mr.. Shaws
Yes"
Did you look In the closet of your room
after Miss Emory had occupied it to see if
the blue skirt was still there?"
The question fairly overwhelmed me, and
l experienced a feeling of deep pity for the
witness as L heard it. 1 no longer haro
bored the slightest suspicion of her guilt.
She had doubtless thought to help her
friend by giving me the information which
had been SO disastrously turned against
her, and had honestly, though obstinatelv.
fought to have it brought out despite the
lawyers advice. And 1, who had thought
myself cleverer than Gilbert, Barstow and
the housekeeper combined, had given her
the necessary opening. What would Bar
bara F'rayne think of me now?
looked across the court ROOM and as
my eyes rested on her flushed and anxious
face she suddenly turned to me with q
glance of unmistakable confidence Then.
and not until then, did 1 realize the men.
tai struggle which lay before me. Could r
the defendant by my vote?
Didn't you look in your closet the morn
Ing after Miss Emory had occupied your
room to see If the blue skirt was still there,
Miss Mapes?'
turned as the prosecutor renhrssed his
significant question.
No, l didn't" Miss Mapes retorted,
feebly. Il told you I'd thrown it away"
But you said you'd last seen it In the
closet of your room, didn't your
Il did not. l said"
"Mr. stenographer,' read the witness
answer to my question on that point"
The stenographer turned back the leaves
of his note book, and the room was hushed
in deathlike silence as he examined them.
At last he placed his pen on one of the
pages, and. glancing up. nodded at Gill
bert.
Question" Che read. Where did you
last see it?" 0he blue cloth skirt. Am
swer. In the closet Of my ROOM.
A solemn pause followed, and the prose-
cutor eyed the witness narrowly as she
sat trembling In the chair.
"WellT' he queried, at last
didn't mean thatP' Miss Mapes burst
out, excitedly. Il don't know where
last saw it, 1 threw 1t away. 1 swear to
God i"
The woman gasped and paused, her ewes
again seeking Barstows with an imploring
expression, but the lawyer responded with
as cruel a glance as ever saw in a human
face, and the housekeeper covered under
1t as she sank back in her chair. Gilbert
watched her for moment in silence and
then quietly resumed his seat.
That Is all, Miss Mapes'' he murmured
Barstow had uttered no word of objec-
ton during his adversarys long examine
ton of the witness nor had he assisted her
in any way and l thought he might not
attempt discrimination. He waited
only an instant, however before he sprang
at her with a question, his voice shaking
with fury.
Have you now told everything you know
about this case?' he demanded, saVagely.
II have"
The housekeepers voice trembled as she
answered, but her eyes flashed defiantly.
Don't you know you hayen't?" he snarl-
NO"
Wen see about that Was there any
love lost between you and the late Mr..
Gregory Shawn"
The woman visibly fiinched at the ques-
ton, but recovered herself Immediately
There was no question of love between
u.s." she answered, bravely.
Didn't you hate each other?'
II don't know what his feelings were
But yours!-yours Tell us about yours.
Didn't you hate hm?"
Barstow leaned toward the witness, his
finger shaking in her face.
81 didn't like him.
Like. him! Didn't you dislike him?"
Yes"
did you hate him?"
Il don't think So"
Think again, them
81 have thought"
Didn't you loathe him?"
mo"
Didn't you fear him?"
NO
Didn't you despise him?"
Eyes"
did you never love him?"
Yes, / did once
"Oh A woman seorned-eh?"
The questions had been pelting her with
singing force as fast as the words could
fly, and the witness was visibly weakening
under them.
Didn't you advise Miss Emory-your So
called friend-not to marry him?" continued
Barstow.
~ did,
Didn't you warn her that he'd once made
love to your"
II did"
Didn't you express your contempt and
loathing for him In as strong terms as
your vocabulary would permit?"
II expressed my contempt for him-yes
''You did? He made love to you and
you warned the defendant against him and
expressed your contempt of him, Ell? /
thought you'd told US everything you knew
about this case?"
Those matters have nothing to do with
this case"
Haven't they? Wait and see, madam
wait and see! When did you learn that
Nv han m ma E,r,o E