Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-10-31
Obe HolIudaY Gaze
CHAPTER ".
STARED at the lines in dumb be-
 wiIderment. "The man Rogers

stand, would have sworn that he was telling the truth, and very much against his will. I had always prided myself upon my judgment of human nature. Had I erred so egregiously in this instance? "The woman who was with Holladay 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 at the morning hear ing. But, If he knew so much, why did he not himself come forward? To this, too, there was but one answer he must be an accomplice. But then, again, if he were an accomplice, why should he imperil himself by writing this note, for it could very probably be traced? I found myself deeper in the mire, farther from the light, at every step. a.... ...
 Do you wish to summon any wit nesses, MT. Royce?" asked the coroner again. "I shall be glad to adjourn the hearing until tomorrow if you do."
 MT. Royce reused himself with an eff fort.
 "Thank you, sir" he said. T may ask you to do that later on. Just at present wish to recall MT. Rogers"
 "Very we'll" said the coroner. And Rogers was summoned from the wit ness room. i6K oG
 looked at him attentively, trying to fathom his thoughts, to read behind his eyes; but, look as I might, could see nothing in his face save concern and grief. He had grown gray in Holladay's office, he had proved himself hundred every reason to feel affection and grat- ttude toward his employer, and I was certain that he felt both. He received liberal salary, knew, and was com fortably well to do.
 That he himself could have commit ted the crime or been concerned in it in any way was absolutely unthinka- ble. Yet why should he lie? Above all, why should he seek to duplicate his employers daughter? Even if he wished to duplicate 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 I saw that Mir. Royce was studying him. too; was straining to find a ray of light for guidance. If we failed now
 I read the notess thEodgh 'agSin ia gown of dark green" And suddenly, by a kind of clairvoyance, the solution of the mystery leaped forth from it. I leaned over to my chief, trembling with eagerness.
 ''Mr Royce" I whispered hoarsely, "I believe I've solved the puzzle. Hold Rogers on the stand few moments until get back"
 He looked up at me astonished, then nodded as I seized my hat and pushed my way through the crowd. Once out side the building. ran to the nearest dry goods house-three blocks away It was, and what fearfully long blocks they med!-then back again to the courtroom. Rogers was still on the stand, but a glance at Mir. Royce told me that he had elicited nothing new.
 ''You take him, Lester" he said as I sat down beside him. "I'm worn out"
 Quivering with apprehension, I arose. It was the first time I had been given the center of the stage in so important a case. Here was my opportunity Suppose my theory should break down, after all! ~o -''@ ~-.
 ''Mr. Rogers began, you've been having some trouble with your eyes, haven't you?"
 He looked at me in surprise.
 "why, yes, little" he said. Moth ing to amount to anything. How did you knowT
 My confidence had come back again I was on the right track then,
 'T did not know" said. smiling for the first time since I had entered the room, but I suspected. have here c numhpr of pieces Of cloth of different 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. and as I did so I saw the district at. torDey lean forward over bis desk with attentive face. The witness looked through the samples slowly. while I watched him with feverish eagerness. Mir. Royce had caught an inkling of my meaning and was watching him too
 at last, which seems quite the shade but this Is very near It.
 He held up one Of the pieces. With leaping heart. I 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 pieceT asked.
 "why. dark red. I've stated that al ready"
 I glanced triumphantIy at the corO ner.
 Your honor I said as calmly as I could. 1T think we've found the flaw in the chain. Mir Rogers is evidently col or blind As yUu see. the piece he has selected Is a d8rk zreen-
 The whole audience seemed 10 draw a deep breath and little clatteT of ap- plause E5an around the rom I cOuld hear the scratch. scratch Of the report CTS pencils. Here was a situation aft CT their hearts desire, Mr. Royce had me hy the hand and vas whispering brpksnly in my ear
 ~My dear fellow. you're the best of