The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-05-16

be. indeed, that Billy Is a monomanfac
with confirmed delusion that he has
killed riggar; the court may smile,
but think am right in stating that
such things have occurred and have
even led to miscarriages II Justice in
the past tell you, gentlemen. be-
lleve II was the whole blooming bay
that killed BIgear, and that Billy was
just as guilty or Just as innocent as
the rest. And there is one thing I
feel mortal sure about That II we
take the prisoner outside the heads
we will soon get the gag of his
mouth, and learn good deal more
about this ugly business. Under old
Jib's searchlight he's got to keep a
close lip: but take him out to sea, and
| answer for II he won't be so reticent."
A dead silence fell upon the court
when Facey drew his case to close
and resumed his seat Nothing could
be heard but the scratching OF Pick.
thorn's pen and the reverbrating
growl of the blow.hole as II fretted
and fumed within for the screaming
blast which was soon TO follow. Case.
ment rammed his hands deeper into
his pockets, gnawed his tawny mus.
tache, and protruded his chin. At last
with a start, he awoke from his
reverie, and barked out:
"Mr Sennett, as the youngest mem
Der, It is for you to speak first"
Il think he's guilty, sir" said Sen.
nett.
Easement turned his quick glance
on Roche
Same here" said the doctor.
"The finding of the court" said the
| captain after another pause, is that
the prisoner Billy is guilty of the muir
der of r. H.-what's his name?-Big
gar, at Sunfiower bay, on the blank
day of September, 1883. and is con
demned to be shot as an example to
the island. Sentence to be deferred
until ] get the ship back from New
Ireland, where I've TO look into that
Carbutt business and the outrage al
MacCarthy's inlet, on the chance OF
the prisoner making further confes
| oithi OlntiS III LIE
| crime. The court is dismissed"
Beg pardon, sir" said Pickthorn
looking up from his writing as the
others rose to their feet. what an
! to call the case-.the Queen versus
Billy what?"
BILLY nothing" said the captain
savagely. Call him William Pick
thorn II you think it sounds better"
The verdict of the court was ex
planned to Jibberik, and the old rogue
and his pair of friends were landed
In the cove, the boat returning to find
the ship with anchor weighed and the
loosened sails Tapping on the yards
| In a few minutes she was steamine
out to sea, and every one grew conf
dent that Billy's tongue would soon
wag as he saw Sunflower bay dwindle
behind him. But the dogged savage
stuck to his tale; he had but one
reply to all inquiries. to all probing
and pumping for further particulars
| OF the murder. On his side the con
versation began and ended with;
| White fellow no good; kill him.
On other topics he could be drawn out
at will. and proved himself mos
tractable. sweet.tempered, and fal
from unintelligent fellow. The mer
, got to like him immensely, keepinl
him In perpetual tobacco and provid
Ing him with more grog than was
quite good for him. In the focastlC
II was rank heresy to call him a mur
| derer or to express any doubts re
garding his innocence. He became al
once the pet and the mystery Of the
ship, and his canvas cell the rallying
point for all the little gayeties or
board. He played cards well. was an
apt pupil on the accordion, and al
checkers he was the master of the
ship! And he not only beat you, but
he beat you handsomely, shaking
hands before and after the event. like
prize fighter in the ring.
Billy's artless ways and 0oundless
| good humor had won the whole
wardroom to his side; and his
grim determination to die, at once