The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1907-02-28
vas stra,ning to find a ray of light

was straining to find q ray OF g
I read the note through again-"s
gown of dark greenland suddenly
by a sort of clairvoyance, the solution
of the mystery ieaped forth from 1t
l leaned over to my chief. trembling
with eagerness.
Mr.. Royce" I WHISPERED hoarsely
Il believe I've solved the puzzle. Hole
Rogers on the stan a few NOM
ents until 1 get back"
He looked up at me astonished; Their
nodded, as 1 seized my hat, and pushed
my way through the crowd. Once u
side the building, l ran to the nearest
dry goods house-three blocks away,
it was-and what fearfully long blocks
they seemed.-then back again to the
court room. 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, ! 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" 1 began, you've been
having some trouble with your eyes
haven't your"
He looked at me in surprise.
why, yes, a little" he said. Moth
ing to amour to anything. How did
you knew"
Ny confidence came back again I
was on the right track, then!
L did not know" 1 said, smiling for
the first time since I had entered the
room. But l suspected. I have here a
number of pieces of cloth Of different
colors. I should like you to pick out
the one that most nearly approximates
the color Of h gown you visitor wore
yesterday afternoon"
l handed him the bundle of samples,
and as I did so. l saw the district at
torney lean forward over his desk with
attentive face. The witness looked
through the samples slowly, while I
watched him with feverish eagerness.
Mr.. Royce had caught an inkling of
my meaning and was Watching him.
too.
There's nothing here" said Rogers,
at last, which seems quite the shade.
But this is very near t."
He held UP one of the pieces. With
leaping heart, / heard the gasp of as
constituent which ran around the room.
The jurymen We're leaning forward In
their chairs.
And what is the color Of that piece?"
l asked.
why, lark red, I've stated that all
ready"
1 glanced triumphantly at the COR
oner.
Your honor" I said, as calmly as I
could, II hin We've found the flaw in
the chain. Mr.. Rogers is evidently col
AS you see. the piece he has
selected is a dark green"
The whole audience seemed to draw
a deep breath, and a little .clatter of
a nn1pl1GA re ~ a OIIy thu --N
near the scratch, scratch of the report
ers' pencils-here was a situation after
their hearts desire! MI. Royce had me
by the hand, n was whispering bro
kenly in my ear.
MY dear fellow; you're the best Of
all; I'll forget it,"
But Rogers was staring in amaze
ment from me to the cloth in his hand.
and back again.
Green" he stammered. "Color-blind!
Why, that's n%onsensei I've never sus-
it,"
That's probable enough" I assent
cd. The failing is no doubt q recent
one. Most color-blind persons don't
know 1t until their sight is tested. OF
we shall have an oculist exam
you; but I think thi evidence il
pretty conclusive"
Coroner Goldberg nodded. and the
district attorney settled back in his
chair.
We've no further questions to ask
this witness at present. I continued.
only I'd like you to preserve this piece
OF cloth, sir" n I handed it to Cold
berg. He placed it with the other ex-
h1b1ts on his desk, and I sat down again
beside my chief. He had regained all
his old-time energy-he seemed anoth-
err man.
II should like to recall Miss Holla-
days maid, If you please" he said:
and the girl was summoned, while
Rogers stumbled dazedly Off to the witt
ness pom.
You're quite sure your mistress
wore a dark red gown yesterday after
noon?" he asked when the girl was on
the stand again.
ooh. yes, sir; quite sure"
1T was not dark green? Think care
fully now!!"
81 don't have to Think" she retorted
sharply, with a toss of her head. Miss
Holiday hasn't any dark green gown
nor light one either. She never wears
doesn't like tit doesn't
suit her."
THAT will 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 yester-
day afternoon?"
NC. sir"
But you saw her gown"
"Oh, yes, SIR"
And what color was it?'
Dark green, sir.