Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1910-05-13

out the neighborhood when it became
known that DR.. Etwald, the clever ply
stefan, of Deanminster, had been ar
rested on the Doubt charge of murder
ard theft of a dead body. Major Jen
worked hard to procure evidence
against the prisoner, and David Saroy
worked just as hard to obtain material
for the defence. The attitude taken
up by the young barrister astonished
everyone, and was universally con-
demned.
After that memorable interview in
the library, when Etwald was accused
and arrested, Arkel took away his pris-
oner in custody by virtue of the war
rant, and left Major Jen alone with the
counsel for the defence. When the
sound of Etwald's carriage had died
away in the distance. Jcn, II had
hitherto kept silence, raised his head
and looked at David.
We'll, sir!" he said. in an icy tone
to his adopted son. Il am waiting for
you to explain this very extraordinary
conduct"
Major Jen. I nav no explanation
to give you"
What" cried his guardian, rising.
d you dare to sit there and tell me
that you are a traitor, a coward, an
l li > w Will cNtiy oltt
say, when they learn that you intend
to defend Etwald?'
'They will say almost as cruel things
as you a V said returned David, still
composed Blu / do not care for the
opinion of the public. 1 act according
to the dictates of my own conscience.
l have an excellent excuse"
What is it, ifsI may be SO bold as
to ask?"
II refuse to tell you at present"
Indeed: and am I ever to learn the
reason of your extraordinary beha-
vior?"
Yes. Major. You shall learn my
reason at-the trial, 1 shall explain
it when l make my speech for the de-
fence"
David, there is something very ex-
~traordinary in your %gehavior, and you
refuse to give me your reasons there
for. If l wait until the trial. will you
explain?"
Yes. I have already told you 50.
In my speech for the defence you will
be fully satisfied that l have good cause
to act as I am doing"
Very good" replied Jen, calmly.
"Then I shall say nothing to anyone
about our very curious behavior. !
shall work hard to secure the condem-
nation of this scoundrel. You can do
your best TO ave him. But against
you. or for you, l shall not open my
mouth. AT the trial l shall expect an
explanation"
You shall have it."
But added Jen, "as until hat ex-
PLANTATION we are enemies-although not
openly sol shall require you to leave
my house.
Il expected hat you would do So
rejoined David, bowling his head. IN
deed, you can act in no other way. To-
day / hall AXE lodgings in Deanmin-
ster and wait for the trial. l sh2,ll de-
fend Etwald to the best of my abil-
ity; and then you can decide whether
l am fit to r%e-enter this horse"
, Arkel had sought out as witnesses
against Etwald seven persons. Firstly.
Mrs. Dallas. who was to prove that she
was hypnotized frequently by Dido.
Secondly. Isabella, who was to depose
that before the murder her mother had
been sent by Dido to "Ashantee' to
steal the devil -Atick, which under the
Influence Of %hypnotism. Thirdly, Bat
tersea, who was to give evidence that
he had sound the devil-stick within the
grounds Of Mrs. Dallas. Fourthly, Meg,
who was to prove the offer of Batter
sea to sell her the stick. Fifthly, Major
Jen, Who could explain the engagement
of the dead man to Miss Dallas. and
the rivalry of his assassin. SiXthly,
Jaggard. whose evidence would tend 10
show that Dido had drugged him Tor
the purpose of stealing the body. And
seventhly, the most important witness
of all, Dido, who was to depose to the
manufacture of the poison, the refill
ing of the deYil-stick, and the giving
~ - m Tr Etwn11 90 that he mipht
perpetrate the crime. With these seven
witnesses Jen did not see how Etwald
could escape h galiows. r
Are you sure that all these people
will speak out?" asked the Major of
Arkel when the list was submitted to
him.
Il am certain of all save one" re-
piled Arkel, in a dissatisfied tone, "and
the worst of it is hat Dido is the one
Does she refuse to give evidence
against Etwald?"
"I should think so. Simply because
he is the holder of the voodoo Stone.
The only change of getting the negress
10 confess the whole truth is for either
you or l to gain possession of that
stone"
where is tt2"
..Etwald carries it on his watch
| chain. l saw him the other day in
prison, and he showed it to me. A
| common little black stone it Is, but
Dido would kill him with pleasure to
get It,"
XIII Etwald!" calculated Jen. Then,
after a pause. he added; Il believe you
are right. Arkel, for it is not the man
| himself she cares about, but the stone.
However, I'll see Isabella and make her
persuade Dido to speak against Ell
valid
The Major went at nee to "The
| wigwam." but. Notwithstanding all his
| eloquence, in spite of the tears and i'm
| plorings of Isabella. the negress posi-
| lively declined to say a word against
| the Great Master.
While dat big man hab de Voodoo
| Stone. l do nothin,-nothin'," h said.
And from this obstinate position they
| all failed to move her.
why don't you get the yoodoo
Stone yourelf, if you adore it so
much ?' cried Mrs. Dallas, exasperated
by this obstlnacy.
s4Ah. il l hab dat voodoo Stone. I be
great: great-de queen oh the debbles.
But he no let Ii go!"sEsx
60 and see DR.. Etwald, and tell him
o will give evidence against him un-
less he gives you the stone"
This suggestion came from Isabella.
but OF II Dido o no notice. Without
- w,ord IN m0fhep mr. VIII