The Washington times., 1905-10-29


l sure Of my evidence tat they keep me
here" Nevertheless. the time went
havily. At last an officer came in and
said he was to come to the police jus
tees for the preliminary examination
of Sleeny
) They have caught him. them" he
asked. with assumed eagerness and sur
prise. He had not got away
NO" the man answered curtIy.
They came 10 the courtroom in a few
steps. Sam was there between two po-
licemen. AS Ofitt entered, he smiled
and slightly nodded One or Two men
who had been summoned as witnesses
were standing near the justice. The
proceedings We're summary.
One of the policemen said that he had
gone to Matchin's shop TO arrest the
prisoner; that the prisoner exhibited no
surprise; his first words were, rs Mr..
Farnham dead yet?'
Ofitt was then called upon, and he re-
peated. clearly and concisely, the story
he had told t. e chief of police. When he
had concluded he was shown the ham
mer which had been picked up on the
floor at Farnham's. and was asked. 'Ls
that the hammer you refer tor
Yes. that is it."
These words were the signal for ter.
rible scene.
| When Sleeny saw OMIT step forward
and begin to give his evidence, he leaned
forward with a smile OF pleased expeo-
tatfon upon his face. He had such con-
fidence In his friends voluble cleverness
that he had no doubt Offitt would talk
him free" in a few minutes. He was
confused a little by his opening words.
not clearly seeing his drift; but as the
story went on, and Ofitt's atrocious
falsehood became clear TO his mind, he
.sas dumb with stupefaction. and felt A.
| strange curiosity Weakening in him to see
how the story would end. He did not.
for the moment. see what object Ofitt
could have in lying so. until the thought
occurred to him. May be there's a
reward outi' But when the blood
| stained hammer was shown and identi-
| fed by Offitt. all doubt was cleared away
in fash from the dull brain OF Sleeny.
| He saw the whole horrible plot of which
he was the victim.
| He rose from his seat before the Of
hcer could stop him. and roared ike a
| lion in the tolls. in a voice flied equally
with agony and rage:
You numbering liar. III tear your
I. heart out of you,''
There was a wide table and several
chairs between them, but Sleeny was
over them in an instant Otfitt tried to
| escape. but was so hemmed in, that the
| infuriated man had him in his hands be-
fore the officers could interpose. If they
had delayed a moment longer all would
have been over. for already Sleeny's
hands were at the throat of his betrayer.
But two powerful policemen with their
clubs soon separated the combatauts.
and Sleeny was dragged back and Sc
curely handcuffed
omit, ghastly pale and trembling, had
sunk upon bench. The justice, look
ing at him narrowly. said: The man ia
going to faint; loosen his collar
No." said Offitt. springing to his feet.
Il am perfectly well"
In his struggle with Sleeny a button Of
his coat had been torn away. He asked
bystander for a pin, and carefully ad-
justed the garment The thought in his
mind was. Il don't mind being killed:
but thought he might tear or NV coat
and show them my money" FROM this
moment he kept his hand in such Do
sition that he might feel the packages In
his pockets.
Sleeny was still painting and scream
ing execrations at Ofitt- The justice
turned to him with sternness, and said.
Silence therel Have you not sense
enough to see how your ferocious attack
on the witness damages you? II YOU
can't restrain your devilish temper while
your friend is giving his evidence, it will
be all the worse for you"
Judge" cried Sam, now fairly beside
himself, that's the murderer, I know
it. L can prove it He amt fit to live.
III break his neck yeti''
Offitt raised his hands and eyes In
deprecating sorrow.
This is the wild talk of a Desperate
man." said the Justice. But you may
as well tell US how you passed last even
ing"
Certainly" said Offitt, consulting his
memory Let me see. 1 took supper
about seven at buffers: went 70 Clam
ber's drug store next and got a glass of
soda water; If they don't know me.
they'll remember my breaking a glass:
then 1 made visit at Mr. Matchin's
on Dean street; then 1 went 10 the Or
leans Theater; come out between the
acts and got cup of coffee at Mouch-
em's-then 1 went back and stayed till
the show was over. that was about half
past eleven Then I went home and
found Mr.. Sleeny there
You had better go with Mr.. Fang
well. and let him verify this state-
ment." said the justice.
He then called the policeman who
arrived first at Farnham's house thu
night before. He told his story and
identified the hammer which had been
shown to Ofitt. young man from
Ware & Harden's swore that he had
sold the hammer the day before to
Sleeny. whom he knew. The justice
held this evidence sufficient to justify
Sleeny's detention.
II should think so,' said some OF the
Ixr-r .sI<
there's loud call for Judge LYNCH
.'Silencer' said the justice. The
prisoner will be taken for the present
10 the city jail
Sam was led out, and Ofitt accom-
panied the chief of police back 10 the
room he had just quilted. He remain
ed there several hours which seemed
TO him tnteruinable- At last, however,
the detective who had been sent TO in
quire as to the truth OF the account he
had given OF himself. retCrned with a
full confirmation of Il, and Offitt was
suffered 10 go. on his own engagement
n rive further evidence when called