Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1915-03-20
BY Howard p. Hockey
Copyright 1914 Howard y. Rocky

sturdy frame almost obscured the
slender, effeminate form of the Prince
and the men about the table admir-
ingly compared his tremendous
strength and vigor with the slight
build of the Indian.
1--WE have sent to ask that you will
join us in proceeding which Lord
Harcourt has suggested" the Duke
explained.
Then he told them briefly what they
had decided to do, requesting their
consent to the plan. "Of course" he
concluded, whatever may now be said
n this room is between gentlemen,
md it is understood between us that
nothing which takes place here shall
)e repeated or even remembered out
side. l cannot say that | favor this
proceeding, as it seems TO me to be
useless; but if, by chance, any one of
our number should-should make a
statement other than we confidently
expect, it will remain for him and not
for us to repeat that statement in an
other place."
Slowly he arose and pushed back
| his chair. II will begin by saying to
YOU that | left the club shortly after
midnight, and went from here to the
House which was then in session. l
did not kill Captain Towneshend. To
each of you in turn, l shall speak by
name, and you will please answer me
by saying simply yes or mo- to the
implied question, are you guilty of
the death. of Captain Towneshend p "
Turning to Sir Henry Farndale at
right, the Duke spoke his name.
MOI said Farndale, very clearly
and distinctly.
Then passing rapidly from one. to
the other, he called upon each in turn,
and, amid a strained silence, their an
swers came negatively. That none of
them relished the ordeal was most
apparent. One by one, those about
the table spoke as their names were
spoken, some with quick, nervous
"Now-others in an almost impercep-
tible whisper. Still another spoke in
tone that seemed to him far away
and faint.
"Col. Trevan ?" asked the Duke.
God bless me, mop exclaimed the
old gentleman, and he mopped his
blushing face furiously with his hand
kerchief.
There was a momentary smile at
his embarrassment, and at the mental
picture they formed of the feeble old
man attempting to commit any act of
violence.
prince Kandwahr?"
The silence seemed deeper and the
men who had been staring straight
before them, turned involuntarily to
look at the stranger in their midst.
Harcourt, leaning back carelessly in
his chair, glanced keenly at the In
dian as he stood up, faced the Duke,
and seemingly unconscious of the at
tention he attracted, in a firm quiet
tone, answered "No."
Cornish's deep voice responded
next, then Marstons.
The hush was deeper and more OPP
pressive, and there was a faint smile
on the Dukes face as he turned to
Harcourt. It was he who had re-
quested the questioning and now only
he remained to answer.
Lord Harcourt ?" said the Duke.
Strengthening up in his chair, Har-
court leaned forward upon the table.
Quietly he looked about the little
group and his eyes met those of each
man there. Gentlemen" he said. AZ
don't know"
There was a murmur of astonish-
ment and several men sprang to their
feet. The Duke stared at him in
amazement, and Marston, stepping
forward quickly. placed his hand upon
Harcourt's shoulder.
Jack" he exclaimed, "Do you real
ize what you're saying man? You
you don't know"
81 am perfectly aware of what
am saying and what you must think
of me-" Harcourt replied, facing them
all calmly. "As you know, | was not
entirely myself last night. have no
recollection whatever as to what hap
pened. 1t is because of these facts
that | have asked you to submit to
the questioning just finished, I thank
you for having done so. | do not
think | could have done such a thing
under any circumstances. George
Towneshend was closer to me than
| most men and I had no ono ,Yo1 With