Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-03-20
CHAPTER XI.
What Aldrich Did.


and mentally shaken, considering What
had been the effect on the jury and on
the spectators of DR.. Welton's evil
dence. l know it is a theory Of law
that the state seeks justice, and thai
the states attorney is the consistent
servant and agent Of the state. The
theory is excellent--veTy excellent; but
in practice it is usually true that the
lawyer Is human enough to wish sue
cess. whether that happens to mean
Justice or its opposite. Added to that
general truth, was the fact that the
prosecuting attorney in this case knew
that the evidence of a man like Welton
should have been convincing.
But the lawyer appeared perfectly
calm and unconcerned. Perhaps 1t was
because he would not show annoyance
or defeat possibly he borrowed some
thing of GOODNESS from Prier's manner;
it may be that he felt as he appeared
knowing what Prier would say.
Your name is Prier l believe"
u. B. Prier."
Where do you reside?'
In Boston
What is your business"
Il am a detective"
You knew Constance CRAIG"
"I did. She was my half sister"
CA sensation in the court room, Sem
falling in the estimation of the on
lockers don't ask me why; I am not
CT tn
them.)
You remember hearing of her
death?"
II do"
"When?"
"On the Tuesday morning following
the Monday named in the indictment
as the probable date of the murder"
Where"
AT the office of the detective agency
by whom 1 am employed"
In what way was the news sent?'
by telegram"
DO you remember the substance Of
the telegram"
Il have the telegram itself here"
I'VE offer the telegram in evidence
You may read it,"
1T says, Constance Craig has been
found murdered; send good detective
1t is signed oscar Welton, NJ. D."
You answered the telegram in per-
son"
Il did"
How did it happen that you went,
instead of some one elSe?"
1T was my request"
Because of your being a relation of
the murdered lady?"
THAT was my reason for wishing to
CO.
WAS your request granted promptly
and readily"
1T was"
You may state, if you please, the
way in which your services were re-
garded by those with whom you were
engaged
Il was considered a good detective"
"One of their best?"
Il think So'
Likely to have any reasonable re-
quest granted?"
Certainly"
And one whose opinions were enti-
tied to weight?"
Yes"
When did you arrive at the resi-
dence of your deceased half-sister?"
Early that Tuesday evening"
Whom did you meet?"
Il met DR.. Oscar Welton, a younger
gentleman who was introduced to me
and several person from families
living in the vicinity"
You heard the testimony of Miss
Webb and DR.. Welton given here to-
day."
Il did"
"They are the persons you met al
the residence Of Constance Craig the
evening after the murder"
They are"
Are the stories they told today sub
stantially the same as those they told
you soon after your arrival"
"They are substantially the same"
Did the doctor refer to the telegram
YOU received and acted upon?"
He did I showed it to him: he ad-
mitted having sent it,"
The telegram says, Constance Craig
has been found murdered Did he ever
express any doubt to you as to the
cause Of her DEATH"
Never"
In look or act. if not in words?'
In no way whatever"
DO YOU believe he had. at any time
any doubt of the truth of the assertion
he made in the telegram he sent YOU
Il do not"
You knew Of the opinion of the 9th
er practitioner, the one who was away
attending To other duties when you ar
rived?"
A smile flashed across the sOmbre
cOuntenance of the detective. much as
YOU have seen a sudden flash of light
ming illume the front of a dark cloud
for. moment in a tempestuOuS night.
Il heard of what he said" was the
quiet answer"
will you please state your opinion
or MIN
Aldrich was on his feet in a moment
I'VE object" he cried; I'VE want
facts. not opinions.
Il do not care to give my opinion OF
the doctor" said Prier, dryly.
We will not press the question
said the prosecuting attorney: "tht
doctor is Of little consequence. Ny
learned friend shall have facts-all the
facts he wants"
Then he turned toward Prier. again
with another question:
You went into the room where the
dead lady lay?"
Il die, at once"
Had the room been disturbed after
finding her dead?"
she had been removed from the bed