Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-03-27

more than evident that they would
join with the citizens. In a stately wa!
BETTING the dignity of jurors, in carp
ing at the questionable ways in whicf
law coquets with justice. Not from
them, nor from the executive officers
nor a smile.
Sem turned to go. The judge came
down from his bench. The oldest
member Of the bar approached him
words to him. For answer the judge
looked admiringly at Aldrich, disap-
provingly at Sem, and then shook his
head with a slow and ponderous grav-
ity. The judge, it was evident, regard
cd the defense as a shrcwd and shall
low trick; the judge, it was easy to
see, put good circumstantial evidence
above an awkward and unlikely truth
Sem hurried, now!
He passed his wife. She wore her
veil down, so that he could not see her
but she turned away her head as he
passed, and she drew her dress closer
to her, with a quick, shuddering mo-
ton, as though she feared he might
chance to touch her.
Miss Matilda Webb. who had re-
turned from the hotel. met Sem at the
door and drew back as she might
have done had a wild beast stood in
her path.
Sem went Out--out into the cold
street-out into the cold night-out
into the colder and drearier world in
which he seemed to have no part.
mo friend-no friend in all the
world" he muttered bitterly, as he
faced the biting blast; there is no
one who believes in memo one who
thinks I am innocent-no one who
trusts me-"
You are mistaken" exclaimed a
voice at his elbow; 81 believe in you.
Sem turned quickly.
Prier stood at his side.
"You believe in me?" cried Sem.
you believe I am innocent?"
Certainly I never believed you
were guilty"
"Then why-why-"
Gilbert Sem, I'll be blamed if !
don't hang somebody, and"
"And so you meant to hang me?"
No, sir, shall not allow any inno-
cent mar to suffer death. L"
"Stop! Tell me, why do you allow
an innocent man to endure the mental
torture which has been forced upon
me?"
Because you deserve it! Why don't
you come forward like man and tell
the truth? You didn't kill Constance
Craig; 1 have never thought"
But you endangered my life today;
the spectators were almost ready to
take me out and hang me-
IL hope not, Sem, and because l
don't want the old saying that dead
men tell no tales applied in just that
way in your case. 1t did look threat
ening for minute or two, though,
didn't it? I had no idea your cold
blooded citizens of Maine were half so
touchy; the occasion was dramatic
one, though-very dramatic"
yes, I should think it was" said
Sem, with sarcasm.
Now, seriously, Sem, while you are
not guilty, and while I have never be-
lieved you guilty, I am sure that you
know who is the murderer Of Con-
stance Craig?"
mo, Mr.. Prier, do not know who
is the guilty one"
But you suspect?"
Sem made no answer.
you suspect" cried Prier; Il know
you suspect. Tell me who you think
did it,"
Never"
Tell me! I beg you to tell me!
Think of the weary days and months
and years during which 1 have brood
ed over this problem! Think how ev-
ery clew has fallen from my hands!
Think how every bit of evidence has
proven worse than useless! See, beg
you on my knees to tell me what you
know, suspect, guess, fear, imagine!
Tell me, and 1 will be your friend.
Put me in possession Of the true clew'
and will bless you. Fail me. and
But Sem had dashed around the
corner at his best speed, and was hid
den from the anxious eyes Of the de-
tective by the deepening shadows OF
the night.
To he Continued.