New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1906-04-18
CHAPTER "

is lying" But what conceivable
motive could he have for lying?
Besides, as I looked at him on the
stand, would have sworn that he was
telling the truth, and very much
against his will. had always prided
myself upon my judgment Of human
nature. Had I erred SO 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
ing. But, If 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, If he were an accomplice, why
should he imperil himself by writing
this note, for it 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 81 may ask
you to do that later on. Just at present
I wish to recall Mr.. Rogers
| Every WE'LL" said the coroner. And
| 4,
ness room.
looked at him attentively, trying to
fathom his thoughts, to read behind his
| eyes; but, look as / might, I could see
nothing in his face save concern and
grief. He had grown gray in Holidays
office, he had proved himself a hundred
times man to be relied on, he had
every reason to feel affection and graf
ltude toward his employer, and 1 was
certain that he felt both. He received
liberal salary, knew, and was COM
fortably well to do.
! That he himself could have commit
ted the crime or been concerned in it
| In any way was absolutely un.4inka-
bic. Yet why should he lie? Above
all, why should he seek to implicate
his employers daughter? Even if he
wished to implicate her, how could he
have known the color of her gown?
| What dark, Intricate problem was this
that confronted us?
In the moment that followed I saw
/ that Mr.. Royce was studying him, too;
was straining to find ray of light for
| guidance. If we failed now
I l 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.
leaned over to my chief, trembling with
eagerness.
"Mr. Royce" whispered hoarsely,
/ I believe I've solved the puzzle. Hold
Rogers on the stand few moments
until get back
| He looked up at me astonished, then
nodded as I 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 it
was, and what fearfulIy long blocks
| they seemed! then back again to the
courtroom. Rogers was still on the
stand, but glance at Mr.. Royce told
| me that he had elected nothing new.
!, You take him, Lester he said as I
tat down beside him TIN worn out"
QuiVering with apprehension, arose.
It was the first time had been given
the center of the stage In so important
a case. Here was my opportunity!
Suppose my thesry should break down,
i after all!
"Mr. Rogers / began, you've been
having some trouble with your eyes.
haven't you 2"
He looked at me in surprise.
Why, YES, little" he said. Moth
Ing to amount to anything. How did
lyou known
/ Ny confidence had come back again.
~ was on the right track then!
II did not know said, smiling for
the first time since ] had entered the;
room. "but I suspected. I have here
number Of pieces Of cloth Of different