Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1907-10-18
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NN/0 E.W. HORNUNG, s
Author of "Raffes. =
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~ 0~ ~ man." "Stinsaree." 81
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March. :::':: :::: G: !, 8. s..
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only pity is that we didn't nave IL Ut
Marylebone. for, you see, your tongue
will be tied at the Old Bailey. NO, no;
YOU couldn't know. You may thank
YOUR solicitor. 1t was his duty to ad-
vise"-
excuse me, sir" interrupted that
gentleman. "but l really must protest
/ never supposed we should be unapie
TO call single witness for the defense'
and did not think the story
"Think!" snapped Culliford. VINO
wants you to think? There's q class
Of men. sir, that Is most dangerous
when it thinks. You appear 10 peions
to it. Be good enough not to interrupt
me again. We must have that state
ment by hook or crook to Work upon'
and there is only one way now OF get
ting it as evidence. Tell turnkey or
wardsman what you have told me,
Erichsen. and the other side are pretty
safe to put him in the box. Then
shall cross examine him and nave
something to talk to the jury about.
Do I think we have leg to stand up
on? Two. sir, two, and better ones
than they suppose. only tell the turn
KEYS exactly what you have told me,
and good day to you. Come, Mr.. Bas-
sett. I've something more to say TO
you"
And so Tom had his eyes opened to
the little ways of great lawyers. but
his impression Of his champion was
by no means an unfavorable one, for
the glib. spruce Bassett he disliked,
but this rough tongue and rugged race
filled him with confidence and so re-
doubled his gratitude toward his I'M
known ally, who heard that. he had
spoken Of him with tears In his eyes
and who did not fail to let Claire hear
1t too
Upon her meanwhile the strain was
beginning to tell. More than once she
was within an ace of breaking down
at a telltale moment. And just when
her nerves were at their highest pitch
and the situation hardly to be borne
there came the new development which
well nigh turned her brain.
1t began with comparatively small
matter the unprovoked insolence OF
Claire's maid; but this was the growth
of days, not sudden thing. though 1t
was only when her tangled nerves
could endure 1t no longer that Claire
whipped out her purse, put months
wages on the dressing table and babe
the woman begone.
Hannah, the maid. put her thin,
strong arms akimbO and burst out
laughing in her mistress face.
This instant, eh? And you think
you'll get rid of me for two-pound-fve?
That you won't then, nor yet for ~
guineas. So now you know"
1--WE shall see," said Claire. moving
| over to the bell.
81 wouldn't ring, miss. If were YOU"
"Then will you go? You have been
insolent beyond words; force me to do
it. and | shall send for policeman to
turn you out"
81 wouldn't do that. miss, either, or
I may tell the policeman something
you won't like"
"What do you mean:
"What say, but don't mind saying
it palmer to oblige. shall tell him
who you were with on the night OF a
certain murder and what he said to
YOU and what you could tell against
him in the witness box If they like to
nut you there! That's all. Miss Hard
I ing. You look faint. | wouldn't ring
lust yet If were you. Here's glass
of water in the meanwhile"
Claire had indeed turned white as
paper. Instinctively she took the
glass, but it slipped through her fin
gers and fell into the fender with q
crash The room seemed full Of pale
faces, low brows and venomous black
eyes set close together, all spinning
round in nauseous whirligig like de-
mons dancing. She sank into a chair
and hid her face, but started and re-
coiled from the touch Of cool fingers
wet with rosewater, upon her temples
keep away from mel" she cried
family. "Do not dare to touch me
again. So it was you at the gate tina,
, night? remember now!'
J at was me. miss" 4a.
, "You shut it?"
|: 81 did"
, "And, pray, how do you know who ht
WASP" and her voice was stronger
, .'You never were at Winwood in YOU
: life"
t perhaps not, but 1 can put two ant
: two together as well as most. BE
/ sides. I'm not that hard Of hearing
: Come, let's be plain. You've confessed
! ! 10 the master, miss, and you've con
+ fessed to me-" - -.
. There was pause for proper. eem
} prehension; then said the young lady
: with ineffable scorn, "And to nov
| many more through your lipsT
l "Never q soul! That was too good
, one not to keep. No, just seen hin
. first and then set to work to una GU
t who he was But I never said l see
Q, him to a soul"
: "And why not to me until today"
r "Why, because wanted to kno'
a your game. And it wasn't that easy I
!. find out. You see, miss, you're prett
! deep one yourself"
Q Claire sat still in her chair. she wa
!, now perfectly calm and even exper
f encing an odd sense Of relief IN racin
9 an overt crisis after so many secrs
!. tremors and hidden shocks. And VIVA
o Is your object, Hannah?" said she 9
e last. Suppose they put me IN the WI
d ness box, what would you gain by II
t You probably think 1 would 90 an!