The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1909-09-09

~ rlntnlne ways ,OI evidence the
proof or disproof Of some poor wretch's
guilt, the penalty of whose conviction
perhaps Is death, and thsetife of man
may be lost or saved by thread slen-
der, yet so unbreaking and sure that it
holds inevitable truth in its meshes.
Sometimes there is only tiny seed of
truth, but a grain of gold outvalues ten
OF dross.
One afternoon last summer man
occupied the rear end compartment I'm
train bound north from Lucerne. He
was leaning leisurely against the door
frame watching the crowding throng
In the station as the train took on its
burden preparatory for the journey.
He was powerfully built, and even
In this attitude OF repose be betrayed
the tense control with which he domi-
mated the abundant energy which per.
vaded him. He was an American.
The train was about to start when
the traveller noticed woman strns-
Cling through the crowd toward Il.
She had scarcely reached the rear end
when the train started, and the Amer
lean. jumping down. caught her bag
gage and assisted her to mount to the
compartment which he was occupying.
When they had recovered their COM
posure and he had slowed away her
baggage he remarked that she was
young. richly dressed and wore jaun-
~ travelling hat which seemed haunt
ingly familiar to him. She was unmis-
takably French.
OH He remembered her standing OPP
posite him at Monte Carlo on the night
Of his fortunate play. when the crou-
pier had put into his hands the returns
of his lucky hazard. He also remem-
bered the expression Of hatred and
avidity from the ewes across the table
as he turned to leave. Presently she
felt his questioning gaze and spoke:
"0h, monsieur. je yous remrcie.
vous m'avez sauveew
Though he caught the meaning OF
her words In her smile and gesture. he
only bowed his acquicscence and set
tied back TO read his paper. She sigh
ed and glanced at him from time to
time. but HIS attention was soon abb
sorbed, and silence rcigned except for
the rumble OF the speeding train. Once
he laid aside the paper to draw out
and light a cigar. but she was gazing
intently out into the closing darkness.
Then suddenly she spoke in English:
Monsieur. give me 5000 francs"
The American looked up question
ingly.
Monsieur. give me 5000 francs" she
repeated calmly. looking directly into
his eyes. lie returned her look fixedly.
Madame. you are mistaken. lam an
American traveller. We have never
met before"
But monsieur VIII give TO me the
money! she said. this time with un-
mistakablc menace in her voice.
He did not answer her at once. Evi-
IDENTIFY this was not case OF mistaken
identity. Ii was threat. But how
could this mite OF n woman carry out
the menace she implied In her per-
sistent demand and eloquent gesture;
His hand ciasped the butt OF his re-
volver as he answered:
"And II will not.'
"Then / VIII scream" she answered
simply.
lie smiled AZ his own credulity. The
woman was mad But this idea WAS
quickly dispeiled by the look OF des-
perate determination she fixed upon
his as she said:
Il will give TO monsieur three min
utes"
They sat doggedly facing each other.
she watching the hands of tiny
watch. he vainiy conjecturlng her next
move. The train began to slow up for
the next station. The three minutes
licked by.
Then she deliberately threw aside
her watch. tore her hat from her head.
disheveled her hair I'LL Il streamed In
Wild disorder over her shoulders and
even dug her nails into her cheek I'LL
the blood smeared her face. Mean.
while she threw open the window and
screamed "a moi. A moi! Help. ze
American and uttered signs and
stiied groans. The American leaned
back IN his seat and waited. the only
evidence OF his excitement ia the furi.
Gus putting OF his cigar between his
set teeth.
Before the train had come 10 stop
IN the station the gendarincs Ind
boarded and the accused pan faced
four revolyers. Still he waited. n
frown Of perplexity on his brow. while
the woman gave the officers hurried
account OF her struggle and held up
20 them the portemonnaie WHICH. she
averred. be Ind not been able TO wreEt
from her before the train arrived NJ
the station.
The case looked clear. Tho Ameri.
can rose 20 accompany the gendasmcs
az their prisoner when suddenly he
stopped and motioncd them aside with
a gesture so convincing that they
loosed their rough hold and stood back.
He took the cigar from between HE
teeth. The ashes clinging to ifs end
were IN Inch long.
Magnets For Ironelads.
The Germsn naval Authorities have
under consideration an invention for