The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-11-14
HUNDREDS ARE DEAD
 M ILLINOIS MINES

 when the curtain arose upon the final act of the legal drama which has thrilled and absorbed France to the exclusion of practically everything else for ten days. Among those who gained admittance were Henri Rochefort. the veteran free lance journalist. whose attempts to give the tragedy point ical color have gone far to excite pop ular interest in the case: several well known dramatists and piaywrights and dozen other celebrities. Foreman is Absent.
 The resumption of the trial this af- ternoon with the argument of Nj. Au- bin for the defense was delayed by the unexplained absence of the foreman of the jury, M. Poupart merchant of St. Ouen. fellow juror explained that yesterday the foreman had com plained of vertigo. Judge Devalles or dered a physician sent to see Poupart and in the meantime suspended the sit- ting of the court.
 Marietta Wolf, the former cook in the Steinheil household, and her son. Alexandre both of whom had testified for the defense. contributed to the gep- eral excitement today with grandilo- quent outbursts of indignation. Before the sitting of the court Madame Wolf and her son were told of the open in- timation made in the court yesterday that they had been accomplices in the murders. Marietta turned pale at the words of her informant. but when she recovered herself declared that she had no fear. She asked angrily why she had not been questioned on this point when she was a witness, and added:
 Tt is a good thing that Alexandre was not present in court when these insinuations were made. for had he been, he would have raised pretty row."
 Alexandre. too. made a show of being furious. and declared that if he had been present in court when the pros ecution made his insinuations he would have bounded into the arena and shout ed:
 Here am. Now what have you got to say?"
 Would Attack Judge.
 When court convened Marietta forced her way into the court room and att tempted to reach the judges bench. but she was seized by the police and un- tremendously dragged. out of the place.
 The report continues current that both Marietta and Alexandre Wolf are in imminent danger of arrest.
 Among those who bought standing room fin the court room today was Madame Gabrielle Rejane. the actress. Others present included Jean Mounet- suily, the tragedian. and the actresses. Madames Hartet and Gautier.
 The afternoon was half gone when the physician returned and reported that, Foreman Poupart was suffering from bronchitis. A supplementary juror was substituted and the case re- sumed.
 The moment the proceedings opened. Marietta Wolf, accompanied by her att torney. found entrance and pushing her way to the bar. demanded in a loud voice that whereas she had been men, toned as an accomplice. she be now heard
 A sharp wrangie between M, Aubir and Judge Advocate Trouard Rio1ie followed, the latter finally declining tc .tdesignate' the woman. M, Aubin re- piled:
 1T shall take note of these facts" At this point Judge Devalles declar- ed the incident closed. and the case proceeded.
 woman's Lawyer Speaks.
 M. Aubin. counsel for the defense, began his argument and without pre- liminary manoeuvers went at once to the heart of the case. From the first he made a good impression. his sympa- thetic voice contrasting agreeably with the harsh tones of the public prosecu- tor. His first words were:
 "Everything has been turned and re- turned against my fair client. but I am certain that I can explain everything and leave nothing in darkness"
 M. Aubin said that 1t was not his intention to deny his clients faults. but he would try to prove that she was not the monster painted by the prose- cution. Many of the intrigues with which she had been charged. the num- Der dating back even to her childhood. were pure myths. he said. He declar- ed she had been a tender, loving child and wife and mother possessed of the rare charm which fascinated all who met her. Her salon had been a sim pie one and yet 1t was frequented by distinguished artists, writers, diplo- mats and politicians, and "even by mag istrates."
 With a stronger husband, the advo- cate said, his client might have achiev- ed fame.
 M. Aubin continued:
 "I do not seek to place her on ped estal, but she must not be placed Tn the pillory. I defend her with all my soul, because I believe her innocent"
 As these words of praise fell from the lips of her advocate, Madame Stein- hell sat quietly back of the jury box making no movement except as she fre- quently placed her handkerchief to her eYea.