The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1915-04-03
THE
BY FREDERICK TREVOR HILL
BY FREDERICK TREVOR HILL

faith means to me. IL
Have you justified It: Is the hook
caught;'
The hurried interruption carried a
warning which | could not disregard.
Almost | answered smilingly.
There. it's caught at LAST
Although | returned to the court
house greatly refreshed in mind and
body. / had no sooner resumed my
seat in the jury box than l became
conscious of an unconquerable feeling
of dread. which speedily unnerved and
depressed me. Indeed, the spectators
might have been assembled for wor-
ship. so solemnly and silently did they
sit in their places waiting for the en-
trance Of the judge.
His honor gave immediate attention
to some papers which had been laid
before him. and the o watched him
in silence as he read them. At last he
looked up and cast a quick glance over
the room.
will retire to my room and wait there
until called" he ordered NAL haste,
If you please" he added sharply as the
exodus began. MIR. Barstow," he con-
tinued, II am advised that the witness
Mapes will be here within an hour IL
you wish to continue your cross ex-
animation"
very well, your honor. May l be
advised of her %arrival:'
Certainly. Now, Mr.. Gilbert. call
your next Witness
"Bettina Field" announced the prose-
cutor.
The door opened, but some moments
elapsed before the tinid, shrinking
housemaid appeared on the threshold.
and | felt a thrill of pity for her as
she wandered blindly toward the coun-
sells table and halted there irresolute-
ly. A court attendant hurried for
ward and. taking her arm, led her to
the witness chair, but even when she
had mounted the platform she stood
dumbly staring at the audience.
Her answers to Gilbert's opening
questions were scarcely more than
whispers, and as the prosecutor re-
peated them to the jury he moved
back until be addressed her from the
far end of the jury box, little by little
coaxing her to raise her voice.
Miss Field, did you ever see the
defendant, Miss Alice Emory, wearing
a blue cloth skirt?'
The instant she comprehended the
question | could see the poor creature
nerving herself for a tremendous eff
fort, and her eyes suddenly conferred
on mine as though appealing to me for
protection and support. After a pause
the answer came in a frightened gasp,
with her Eyes turned toward me.
mo"
Look at me, Miss Field.'
The girl started and glanced trem-
blingly at her questioner, but her eyes
instantly reverted to me as Gilbert re-
peated his unanswered question.
Did you ever see anything resem-
bling a blue cloth skirt in Miss Mapes'
possession"
moo. SIR"
"Is there a furnace in the Shaw
farmhouse?"
"Ye-es. sir"
l trembled with excitement as the
girl uttered the faltering answer.
Would she be able to withstand the
strain of the next questions? Her eyes
never left mine for an instant, and l
grew more restless and uncomfortable
under Gilbert's close surveillance.
sntI ..ar ovnr coo onrthfDr rouo,n
bling a blue cloth skirt in that fur
naceI"
The witness opened her mouth, and
her lips moved, but no sound issued
from them. The prosecutor repeated
his inquiry, and l could actually feel
the woman %imploring me to aid her as
she struggled to reply.
II must have an answer we can I'M
derstand, Miss Field. Look at me.
Did you ever see the skirt l have de-
scribed or any part of it in the furnace
of the Shaw house?'
MOI
The answer burst from her like a
cry, and, unable to bear her terrified
glance any longer. | leaned back in
my chair and shielded my face with
my hand,
THAT is all. Miss Field"
mo questions"
/ did not look up as Barstow spoke,
but pressed my fingers firmly upon my
eyelids in an effort to blot out the pic
ture. | could hear the witness leaving
the stand.
The door of the judges private room
opened and closed. The witness had
gone. and with her departure | felt
myself an a%ccomplice in the crime. I
passed my hand over my forehead and,
opening my eyes, found Gilbert watch
ing me with n troubled expression. his
forehead wrinkled and the corners Of
his mouth drawn down in deep set
lines. Finally he reused himself with
an effort and turned to the court.
"Your honor" he began, speaking
SlouIy and with impraSSiya gravity