Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1906-03-09
CHAPTER Ill.

"ROM the breathless silence that
l. followed her answer she saw
that she had somehow dealt her
mistress a heavy blow, and the
sobs burst out beyond control. choking
her. could see how my chiefs face
turned livid. He had driven another
rivet in the chain-just the one it need
cd to hold 1t firmly together. My head
was whirling. Could 1t 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
were whispering together. and saw
the former glance from the blood
stained handkerchief on tho desk be-
fore him to the sobbing woman on the
stand. 1t needed only that-her iden-
LITIGATION Of that square Of cambrtc-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 be
saw only that the witness was In nc
condition to 60 on.
Anything further. Mr.. RoyceT' he
asked.
Not at present. sir" answered our
junior hoarsely. I think he was just
beginning fully to realize how desper-
ate our case was.
I'VE 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.
I'VE have one more Witness" he
said at last. Miss Holidays coach
man, and perhaps little testimony in
rebuttal. II you wish to adjourn for
lunch. Mr.. Royce. I'm quite ready to
do So"
Thank you. SIR" said my chief, vel
coming an opportunity to pull himself
together and prepare a plan Of de-
Tense. II DO wish It."
Every well, then. Well adjourn till
2 O'clock" and he pushed back his
chair.
MAY I have one word with you.
sirf" asked Mr.. Royce.
Certainly"
II should like to see Miss Holiday
q few moments in private. We wish,
Of course. to arrange our rebuttal."
The coroner looked at him for q mo-
ment with eyes In which just O 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, % that you could have
opportunity to prepare for this hear
ing. I feel that In q 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 &C.
ton Is important. I had no intention
Of placing Miss Holiday on the wit
ness stand. so I thought 1t best to pro-
coed at once with the inquest. You
must admit, sir. that as the case stands
there's only one course open to me-"
II fear So" assented the other sadly.
tits a 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 f1aw."
Strange things happen in this world.
Mr. Royce" observed Singleton, with
q philosophy born Of experience.
1.-THE impossible never happens, sirv"
Ietorted our Junior. II hope to show
you that this belongs in that category"
"Well, hope you WILL" said the dis
trict attorney. "Td be glad to find
that some one else Is guilty."
I'll do my best" And Mr.. Royce
turned to me. Lester, you'd better 20
and get some lunch. You look quite
done up"
shall I bring you somethingr' I
asked. "Or. better still, have q meal
ready for you In half an hour2 Rotin's
Is just around the corner"
He would have refused, I think, had
not the coroner interfered.
You'd better 60. Mr.. Royce" he said.
you're looking done up yourself. Per-
haps you can persuade Miss Holiday
to eat something. I'm sure she needs
it."
VERY well, then. Have two meals
ready in half an hour, Lester" he said,
land lunch We can bring back with
Us. I'll go to Miss Holiday now and
then so direct to Rotin's."
TO BE CONTINUED.