The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1913-01-23
CHAPTER vl.-(contInusd). i.

CHAPTER vi.-(contInusd).
was thoroughly disgusted with the
dwelling way in which the proceed
ings were being carried on. ! could
see little hope Of any discovery that
would establish connection with the
similar events in New York. turned
from listening to the witness to study
ing the face Of the man Cook. Could
II be possible he was Hugh Crandall?
saw that he was watching the testi-
mony with eager interest. Against
ny will had to confess that his face
was one that attracted rather than
repelled me. While there was q
shrewdness about the eyes. the chin
was square and firm and the skull
well-balanced. tried to read in the
shape Of the mouth or the curve of
the ears some sign Of the criminal
such as ! expected to find written on
the countenance Of Crandall. but 1t
was not there
She was sitting there crying"
A sentence of the maids testimony
suddenly thrust itself forward from
my subconsciousnees as II demand.
ting my attention and listened In
tently to what che was saying.
THAT was the way 1t happened that
didn't make up the room the day b.
fore. When went in to do 1t she was
sitting there crying and tearing a
letter to bits"
A letter! 1t came on me in q fash
that here was the clue, that this was
the connecting link with the other two
cases.
l pushed my way forward into the
room. determined to learn all there
was about this new phase of the case.
The proceedings stopped abruptly at
the hustle my movement made, and
everybody. coroner, Jurors and spec
tators. gaped at me.
Il am . lawyer" said. May I
ask the witness one or two questions !'
Still the coroner gaped and l wait.
I'd NO longer for his permission.
Was II yellow lettar3" asked.
Nov that you speak Of 1t kind Of
remember that It was.
HAS the letter besn sound?"
She was tearing 1t In pieces"
Where are the pieces!''
The eyes Of everybody present be
gan rowing about the roo,s, a. II in
answer to my question. .fhe con.
stable instituted hasty uesrch, In
which ! myself, the coroneS and the
Jurors Joined. ] felt that II We could
only nnd those pieces. the mystery
might be solved. While the room wa.
being ransacked kept my eye or
Cook. As l asked the question abou,
tho letters color l noticed that h<
looked startled. was amused now
. to see him edging toward tho door.
was tempted to demand tina. he be re
strained and searched. l felt almost
sure that II the pieces & the yellow
letter were to be found anywhere Il
would BE- in his pocket. Yet secont
thought advised against such rash ac
,tion. had no positive proof thu
Cook vas Crandall. Until had, sure
ly IL would be unwise to accuse him
II remembered that there was no trai,
by which he could leave the town un
til late in the afternoon, 20 there wa,
little prospect that he could escap,
me.
How did you know 1t was q yellow
letter.? the coroner asked mo sus
piciously. pausing suddenly in hi
search.
1t was an awkward question
realized that my impetuosity ha,
placed me in predicament. I wa
By no means ready to tell him tn,
whole story, and yet the fact that
knew or suspected the color Of tn,
letter that she was tearing up certain
Ily indicated that I knew somethin,
|about the woman.
II didn't know it."
well. what'd you ask the questto,
about 1t fort" he repeated, his sus
picion Of me rapidly increasing.
was thinking quickly what coul,
tsay that would divert his thoughts.
noticed with annoyance that the eye,
lot every one In the room were on m.
land that they were cu:iously await
ling an answer. I assumed an air O
l0ystery and drew the coroner to on,
isids.
Il am perfectly willing to tell 20,
everything" said. II am out her
On another matter that 10 something
of . mystery in which . yellow lsttel
Asures. Tho letter has disappeared
aovae Nv or hard of this old woman