Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1906-03-16
CHAPTER w,

II STARED ut the lines In dumb be-
wilderment The man Rogers
is lying" But what conceivable
motive could he have for lying?
Besides, us looked at him on the
stand, would have sworn that he was
telling the truth. and very much
against bis will. had always prlded
myself upon my judgment Of human
nature. Had erred 50 egregiously In
this instance? 1.-The woman who was
with Holiday 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
lag. But, II 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, II he were an accomplice, why
should he imperil himself by writing
this note, for 1t could very probably
be traced? I found myself deeper in
the mire, farther from the light, at
every step.
do you wish to summon any wit
nesses, Mr.. Roger asked the coroner
again. II shall be glad to adjourn the
hearing until tomorrow If you do"
Mr.. Royce reused himself with an eff
fort.
"Thank you. SIR" he said II may ask
you to do that later on. Just at present
I wish to recall Mr.. Rogers"
VERY WE'LL" said the coroner. And
Rogers was summoned from the wit
ness room.
I looked at him attentively, trying to
fathom his thoughts, to read behind his
eyes; but, look as I might, I could see
nothing in his face save concern and
grief. He had grown gray in Holidays
Office, he had proved himself hundred
times n man to be relied on, he had
every reason to feel affection and graf
itude toward his employer. and I was
certain that he felt both. He received
a liberal salary. I knew, and WINS 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-
BILE. Yet why should he lie? Above
all. why should he seek to implicate
his employers daughter? Even II he
wished to implicate her. how could he
have known the color Of her gownf
What dark. intricate problem was this
that confronted us7
In the moment that followed I saw
that Mr.. Royce was studying him. too;
was straining to find a ray Of light for
guidance. II we failed now
I read the note through again - "a
gown Of dark green" And suddenly,
by 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,
II believe I've solved the puzzle. Hold
Rogers on the stand q few moments
until I get back"
He looked up at me astonished, then
nodded as 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 1t
was. and what fearfully long blocks
they seemed-then back again to the
courtroom. Rogers was still on the
stand, but a glance at Mr.. Royce told
me that he had ELECTED nothing new.
"You take him. Lester" he said as I
sat down beside him. I'm worn out"
Quivering with apprehension, I arose.
1t was the first time l 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!
Mr.. Rogers" began. you've been
having some trouble with your eyes.
haven't your
He looked at me in surprise.
"Why. yes. q little," he said. "Noth.
Ing to amount to anything. How did
you know:'
My confidence had come back again,
I was on the right track theni
II did not know" I said, smiling for
the first time since I had entered the
room. "but I suspected. I have here
q number 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"
1 handed him the bundle Of samples,
and as I did so I saw the district at.
corney lean forward over his desk with
attentive face. The witness looked
through the samples slowly, while !
watched him with feverish eagerness
Mr.. Royce had caught an inkling of
my meaning and was watching him
too.
fro BE CONTINUED