Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-22
CHAPTER K.
Ropes Of Sand.

Something like thrill Of real excitement
ran through the spectators. The remark
was made so quietly and In such a natural
tone that nobody dreamt of questioning the
word Of the witness. Then 1t went home
to all that Stevens was making against
Mrs. Delahay what amounted to a serious
accusation. All eyes were turned upon
her. She glanced In the direction Of the
witness In the same dull. steady way which
had characterized her from the first.
This is very remarkable" the coroner
murmured. do you quite understand what
you are saying?'
why. of course. SIR" Stevens went on,
as If absolutely unconscious that his words
were creating a sensation. THAT is the
lady whom 1 saw with Mr. Delahay that
night. I daresay she will tell you herself
when she comes to give evidence"
"One moment, please" the coroner went
on. How long is it since you identified
the lady opposite?"
The witness looked about him as II he
hardly understood the question. He was
clearly puzzled by what had happened.
LAS matter of fact" he said. II did
not see her till the last few moments. You
see. sir. took her for witness like my
self. l cannot say any more than that
The coroner murmured something to the
effect that there must be q mistake here.
Then he turned to the witness again.
This is a most important investigation"
he said. land 1 want you to be very care
full. VIII you look at the lady again and
see If you have not made a mistake? Sure
ly you were In court when she gave her
evidence. You must have seen her then"
Indeed 1 didn't. SIR" the witness pro-
tested. II did not come into court until
my name was called outside
The coroner turned sharply to Mrs. Della
hay and asked her to be good enough to
stand up. She rose slowly and deliberately,
and turned her head in the direction of
Stevens. A ray OF light fell upon her
features: they were absolutely dull and
expressionless. as II all the life had gone
out OF her; as IL she failed utterly to COM
prehend what was going on around her.
1t was only natural that she should have
dissented vigorously from Stevens state
ment. She regarded him without even the
suggestion of challenge in her eyes, AS
matter of fact, the man was making a
serious charge against her-a charge of
willful perjury at the very least. and yet.
so far she was concerned, Stevens did
not even appear to exist
well. what do you make Of it7' the
coroner asked.
Just as 1 told you before" the witness
went on. Il saw that lady with Mr.. Della
hay at Quarter-past one on the morning
OF the murder. l saw her enter the house
In FitZjohn Square"
EXTRAORDINARY" the coroner exclaimed
Mrs. Delahay has already sworn to the
fact that she retired to bed at II o'clock.
anu tHdt SIe QlQ not miss ner nuSDanQ I'LL
late the next morning, and now you say
that you saw her with the murdered man.
In the face Of Mrs. Delahay's evidence, are
you prepared to repeat your first state
ment?'
A stubborn look came over Stevens face
His watery eyes became more clear and
steadfast.
Il have no object In telling lie SIR" he
said. Il came forward in what l con-
sidered to be the interests of justice and
at some loss to myself. l am prepared to
stand up in any court of justice and take
my oath that Mrs. Delahay was with her
husband at the time and place l have men
toned"
The audience swayed again. for there
was something exceedingly impressive in
the speakers words. All eyes were turned
upon Mrs. Delahay, who seemed at length
to gain some understanding of what was
going on. There was no sign of guilt or
confusion on her face. 1t was calm and
stony as ever.
1.-The speaker is absolutely mistaken" she
said. He must have confused me with
somebody else From - o'clock at night
till the next morning 1 was not out of
my room"
ION the face of what has happened, we
cannot possibly go any further" the
coroner said. After all it will be an easy
matter to test the correctness of both wit
nesses. 1t Is just possible that Stevens
has made a mistake"
Stevens shook his head doggedly. He felt
quite certain that there was no mistake SO
he was concerned. Then there was
a little awkward pause. followed by a
whispered consultation between the coroner
and Inspector Dallas.
1.-The inquiry is adjourned for week."
the coroner announced. There Is nothing
to be gained by any further investigation
till the extraordinary point which has
arisen has been settled"
The disappointed audience filed out until
only a few of the authorities from Scot
land Yard remained AS Mrs. Delahay