The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1910-01-29

be, indeed, that Billy is monomaniac
with a confirmed delusion that he has
killed Biggar; the court may smile,
but 1 think l am right in stating that
such things have occurred and have
even led to miscarriages of justice in
the past l tell you, gentlemen be-
lieve it was the whole blooming bay
that killed Biggar, and that Billy was
just as guilty or Just as innocent as
the rest And there is one thing l
feel mortal sure about: That If we
take the prisoner outside the heads
we will soon get the gag off his
mouth, and learn good deal more
about this ugly business. Under old
Jibs searchlight he's got to keep a
close lip; but take him out to sea, and
answer for it he won't be so reticent."
A dead silence fell upon the court
when Facey drew his case to a close
and resumed his seat. Nothing could
be heard but the scratching of Pick
thorns pen and the reverbrating
growl of the blow-hoe as it 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 start, he awoke from his
reverie, and parked 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, lis that
the prisoner Billy is guilty of the MUIR
der of T. H.-what's his name?-Big-
gar. at Sunflower bay, on the blank
day of September, 1888. 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 at
MacCarthys inlet, on the chance of
the prisoner making further confess
sion and duplicating others in his
crime. The court is dismissed"
BEG pardon, sir" said Pickthorn,
looking up from his writing as the
others rose to their feet. What am
I to call the case-the Queen versus
Billy what?"
BILLY nothing" said the captain,
savagely. Call him William Pick
thorn If 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 few minutes she was steaming
out to sea, and every one grew conf
dent that Billy's tongue would soon
wag as he saw Sunfower bay dwindle
behind him. But. the logged 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 most
tractable, sweet-tempered, and far
from unintelligent fellow. The men
got to like him immensely, keeping
him in perpetual tobacco and provid-
ing him with more grog than was
quite good for him. In the focastle
1t was rank heresy to call him MUIR
derer or to express any doubts re-
garding his innocence. He became at
once the pet and the mystery of the
ship, and his canvas cell the rallying-
| point for all the little gayeties on
board. He played cards WE'LL was an
| apt pupil on the accordion, and at
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
a prize fighter in the ring.
Billy's artless ways and boundless
| good humor had won the whole
wardroom to his side; and his
grim determination to die. at once