Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-27
CHAPTER VI.
innocent or GUILTY?


We sat looking d him a moment in silence
IT was evident that he was suffering some
exquisite mental anguish. though l suspect
ed. somehow, that it was not because of his
Imprisonment. There was something deeper
than that; something that touched him more
closely.
''Oh, come, Jack protested Godfrey, at
last, this Is no time to put on the high and
mighty. You don't seem to realize what an
exceedingly serious position you're in
Il know one thing Godfrey" returned
Drysdale with forced smile, and that Is
that didn't XIII Graham nor steal the neck
lace. So know they can't convict me-"
Il wouldn't be too sure of 1t. Things like
that happen occasionally. How did Gra-
ham get hold of that button off your rain
coat?'
I'm sure 1 don't know"
You wore the coat that evening"
Yes"
And the button was on it?'
'Yes-Id have missed it if It hadn't been.
Besides, | buttoned the coat up when l
started back to the house"
Godfrey's face flushed and his eyes began
to gisten.
You're sure. then. that it was on the
coat when you returned to the house?'
why. yes, answered Drysdale, looking
at him in some astonishment, reasonably
sure
Godfrey fell a moment silent; then he
shook his head impatiently.
There's another thing" he said. How
did your pistol get out there in that boat%'
That's another puzzler''
Now see here, Jack continued God
frey seriously, there's one thing certain
either you killed Graham or Tremaine did"
'Tremaine? repeated the prisoner with
tightening lips.
Yes Do you know of any evidence
Drysdale paused a moment his brows
knitted.
NO" he answered positively, at last. Il
don't see how Tremaine could pos -iblv have
done it,
why not?"
Because he didn't leave the house so
Delroy says. / know he was there when |
went out, and when | came back | saw him
sitting by his lighted window, writing ap-
parently."
"Ah!'' Then after a moment. Did YOU
Keep that journal you promised to keep"
Yes; you'll find it in my room-that is
He stopped suddenly and colored
We'll? Out with it,
L just happened to think that perhaps
that id fool of a coroner got it. See
here, Jim, if you find it 1 want you to
promise me one thing-that you won't read
it-not yeti won't help you a bit
m not so sure of that" retorted God
frey grimly. why don't you want me to
read u?'
THE fact is" Drysdale answered, color
ing still more, that after got started, /
1 forgot 1 was writing 1t for you"
Il see," said Godfrey drily, as the other
paused TN promise you this, Jack-I
won't read it unless | find that | cant
clear you any other way.
Drysdale heaved sigh of relief
That's all l want" he said. "Afterward
perhaps, won't mind; but just now.
His voice trailed off, his lips trembled
And you've nothing more to tell us?"
Not thing
Very well; Wen go out and have a looa
about the place. Wen come in again this
afternoon. We're going to clear YOU" he
added confidently.
We heard the Jailer's footsteps approach
ing along the corridor
Il don't doubt it," said Drysdale, with
puzzling istlessness. It's very good of
you both to take all this trouble
The jaiier opened the door and We passed
out.
DO you know when the inquest will be?,,
Godfrey asked. as We stepped through to-
gether into the outer room
yes SIT; tmorrer mornin They'd have
mad 1t today, but Coroner HefYelbower
hopes to find tn necklace by t'morrer"
oh; so they haven't found it. then?'
mo, sir; they searched Drysdales room
but 1t wasn't there. Now they're irwin +
hgger out where he hid it,
WELL" observed Godfrey "tbey'u have
to hgure long time. because he didn't hide
1t anywhere"
"Mebbe not. SIR" retorted the jailer. with
sceptical smile. But appea RANGES arc
DEAD agin him. Why, even his girl thinks
he did It,"
How do you know that?" demanded
Godfrey quickly.
when Heffelbower was brinsin' him ont
o. tn house, they met her in tn hall, an
she asked Drysdale what he wanted t. do
II fer, why he couldn't awaited a while.
That's purity good evidence, think"
Godfrey had listened with a face hard an
steel. He turned away without answering.
and as We went down the street together, /
saw that this new development puzzled and
worried him sorely. That Miss Croydon
should think Drysdale guilty. even for an
instant, was inconceivable
We made our way to the nearest hotel
and engaged trap, and while 1t was get
ting ready. ordered q light lunch. Godfrey
ate In thoughtful silence; as for me- con-
fess that saw little ground for that con-
viction he had expressed so confidently,
that we could prove our clients innocence.
was forced to admit that to look at Drys-
dale. no one would believe him capable of
such a crime; but then. for that matter, to
look at Tremaine, who would believe him
capable of itf Put the two men before a
Jury, and Iremaine would come on victor