Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1906-01-30
CHAPTER III.

FROM the breathless silence that
- followed her answer she saw
4 that she had somehow dealt her
mistress a heavy blow, and the
sobs burst out beyond control, choking
her. l could see how my chiefs face
turned livid. He had driven another
rivet in the chain-just the one it need
ed to hold it firmly together. Ny 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. I put the
thought from me. 1t was monstrous,
unbelievable!
The coroner and the district attorney
We're 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. 1t needed only that-hef iden-
tification of that square Of cambric-to
complete the evidence. He hesitated O
moment, said another word or two to
Singleton, then Strengthened up again
in his chair. Perhaps he thought the
chain was strong enough; perhaps he
SuW only lldL IuS WltAcoS was Ii Ao
condition to go on.
Anything further, Mr. Royce?" he
asked.
mot at present, SIR" answered our
junior hoarsely. 1 think he was just
beginning fully to realize how desper-
ate our case was.
1--WE will dismiss the witness, then,
temporarily" said the coroner. 1--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.
1--WE have one more Witness" he
said at last, Miss Holidays coach
man, and perhaps little testimony in
rebuttal. If you wish to adjourn for
lunch, Mr.. Royce, I'm quite ready 10
do So"
''Thank you, sir" said my chief, well
coming an opportunity to pull himself
together and prepare plan of de-
fense 81 do wish it"
every we'll, then. Well adjourn till
chair.
May 1 have one word with you.
sir?" asked Mr.. Royce.
Certainly"
81 should like to see Miss Holiday
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 just a tinge Of
curiosity fickered.
'I'll be very glad to allow you to see
her in private" he answered readily.
II regret greatly that we couldn't find
you last night, so that you could have
opportunity to prepare for this hear
ing. I feel that in a way we haven't
| 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. 1 had no intention
of placing Miss Holladay ON the wit
| ness stand, so I 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"
Il fear so," assented the other sadly.
! Its Il 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 it some fatal flaw, which, once dis
| covered, will send the whole structure
/ tottering. 1t must be my business to
| find that flaw"
Strange things happen in this world,
Mr.. Royce" observed Singleton, with
philosophy born of experience.
| 1.-The impossible never happens, sirr'
retorted our Junior. 81 hope to show
you that this belongs1n that category" /"