The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-07-02

friend had not committed the murder,
but even to one OF the best detectives
In tho country tho caso looked hope
less.
lic went 10 the lawyers aud arranged
for a copy OF tho testimony. and when
TINT was forthcoming be shut himself
In his room 10 study II. ~ W.. y
Az tho end Of Il couple OF days no
locked the typowrItten pages In his
desk and gave himself over TO bis 80
cIai duties. Elder was detective
through love or tho work, not because
II WINS necessary for him to earn his
living In this fashion, and on those
rare occasions when not engaged In a
pursuit bo was welcomed In fashiona-
bic homes.
Ifls reappcnrance In society was ac'
cepted ns being nm acknowledgment
that there was nothing 70 be done for
Paul Westcott. for he was known 10
have been Erica's sultor, and II was
argued TINT II there was any hope no
would have disappeared IN search OF
the murderer.
In spite OF this Erica seemed hopeful,
and the trial. through political innn'
encc, was pushed 10 appeal. Gordon
westcott. her cousin, was opposed 10
tho haste and argued violently against
Il, but he hnd always been hostile TO
Elder, and II was natural that hc
should object 10 amy Of tho latter's
suggestions.
Az In the previous trial. the evidences
hinged almost entirely sipon the letter.
There was brief testimony to the eff
feet that Paul Wcstcott had been In
danger on being wiped out tn the mar
ket TO prove motive. II was shown
that upon his arrest no had been un'
able TO negotiate loans and had lost
heavily. Then tho prosecution put In
the evidence OF handwriting expert
who had testified at tho previous tria
and who discussed learnedly tho indi
vidunl pcculiaritIcs TINT. even In for
gerry. will unconsclously betray them
selves.
Almost letter by letter be compared
the formation OF the characters OF th,
supposed last message with Paul.
handwriting. and with each fresh slld'
there was more firmly established II
the minds OF the jury the fact tina
Paul must have written the letter.
With the letter the prosecution rest
ed the case. and the defense began
Elder was the first witness, and. 4
tho surprise Of every person. he tool
his stand by the lantern which ha'
figured 30 spectaculariy at both trials.
He frat flashed upon the screen bal
q dozen examples OF Paul Westcott'
handwriting and then In succession
showed another hand displaying man,
Of the same characteristics.
"You will perceive that the two me
whose handwrltings ! have show,
have many traits In common," he said
"but In his eagerncss to prove guilt b
angle and curve the previous witnes
has neglected his photography,
''The first examples were those wri
ten by the defendant prior to the con
mission OF the crime. The ones lai
shown were written by his cousil
who studied under the same tutor |
his uncIe's house. viii now show ha
a dozen examples OF the late jaime
Westcott's handwriting, asking n
Jury a. note that In every inatanc
until Is spelled properly. MS II was
the examples shown OF Paul Yves
colts hand. Only In Gordon Yves
colts letters will the word be found
be pcrslstentIy mlsspelled 'untlll,' q
was the case in the forgery. A write
unconsclously bctrays himself, but
this instance II was the spelling. M
the formation, which told tales,
II also show Il letter from Gordo
Westcott to money lender, write
Immediately after the murder, In whiC
he calls attention to the fact that, 1
Paul Westcott could not inherit, VI
estate would be divided between hir
self and his cousin Erica and that the
he would be able to make the deferr,
, payments"
The defense rested its case, and
soon as the opposing counsel had sur
a med up the jury brought in verdi
of "Not guilty" and Gordon Westco
|. was placed under arrest,
: Erica. her arm about her brother
neck, reached forward In the cab.
1 Erred" she said, II will take ba'
all sid about not marrying you u
{ Ill You gave up your detective work.
:. "What's the incentive to give II up
:. he laughed ms he kissed her, when
4 simple matter Of spelling pays me