Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1906-02-06

Tnat VIII do" said Mr.. Royce, and
the girl went back to the witness room
without understanding In the least the
meaning of the questions Now, let
us have the Office boy again. he said,
and that young worthy was called
out
"You say you didn't see the face Of
that woman who left your Office yes
terday afternoon?'
NO, SIR
'But you saw her gown?"
@Oh, yes, sir.
"And what color was it?'
"Dark green, sir"
'9Chat will do said our Junior, and
san; back in his chair with sigh of
reliaf. The solution had been under
our hands in the morning. and we had
mi ed it. Well, we had found it now.
&c tlemen," he added, his voice
airing. his face alight, as he sprang
to his feet and faced the jury. I'm
rea Y for your verdict. / wish only
to point out that with this one poi 1T
the whole case against my client fails
to the ground! 1t was preposterous
from the very firstr'
the coroner.
"Gentlemen of the jury" began
Goldberg. Il have merely to remind
you tina. your verdict whatever it
may be, will not finally affect this
case. The police authorities will con-
tinue their investigation in order that
the guilty person may not escape /
conceive that it is not within our prov
ince to probe this case further-that
may be left to ADLER and more expe-
rtenced hands-nor do | think we
should inculpate any one SO long as
there is a reasonable doubt of his guilt
We await your verdict"
The jury filed slowly out, and 1
watched them anXiously. In face Of
the coroner's instructions, they could
bring in but one verdict, yet knew
from experience that jury is ever an
unknown quantity, often producing the
most unexpected results.
The district attorney came down
from his seat and shook hands with
both of U.S.
"That was a great stroker' he said,
with frank admiration. whatever
made you suspect?"
Mr.. Royce handed him the note for
answer. He read it through and stared
back at US in establishment
! "Why," he began, "who wrote this ?"
That's the note that was delivered
to us awhile ago." answered Mr.. Royce
'TYou know as much about it as we do.
But it seems to me pretty important
piece of evidence. I turn it over to
you"
'1mportantY' cried Singleton. ''I
should say so! Why, gentlemen" and
his eyes were cleaning, this was writ
ten either by an accomrHce or by the
woman herself"
Ny chief nodded.
~Precisely," he said. "I'd get on the
track Of the writer without delay"
Singleton turned and whispered
few words to a clerk, who hurried
from the room. Then he motioned to
two smooth faced, we'll built men who
sat near by, spoke word to the coro-
ner and retired with them into the lat
ter's private office. The reporters
crowded about us with congratulations
and questions. They scented mys-
gleton? What was the new piece of
evidence? Was it the note? What
was in the note?
Mr.. Royce smiled.
"Gentlemen," he said, st trust that
Ecy connection with this affair will end
ir very few minutes. For any fur
ther information 1 must refer you to
the district attorney. The case is in his
hands,
But those men he had summoned into
his office were Karle and Johnson, the
cleverest detectives on the force. What
did he want with them? Mr.. Royce
merely shrugged his shoulders, where
at the reporters deserted him and
massed themselves before the door into
the coroner's room. 1t opened in mo-
ment, and the two detectives came hur-
rying out. They looked neither to the
right nor left, but shouldered their way
cruelty through the crowd, paying not
the slightest attention to the questions
showered upon them. Then the dis
trict attorney came out and took in the
situation at glance.
Gentlemen" he said, raising his
voice, 81 can answer no questions. 1
must request you to resume your seats
or shall ask the coroner to clear the
room.'
They knew that he meant what he
said. so they went back to their chairs
chagrined, disgusted, biting their nails,
striving vainly to work out a solution
to the puzzle. 1t was the coroner's
clerk who created diversion.
1.-THE jury is ready to report. sir" he
announced
Very well; bring them out" And
the jurymen filed slowly back to their
seats. gazed at each face and cursed
the inexpressiveness Of the human
countenance.
Have you arrived at verdict, gen.
tlemenT asked the coroner.
1--WE have, SIR" answered one of them
and handed a paper to the clerk.
ssTs fhis yorr yerdirf gentlemen ~