The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-30

HA Langdon He was either in
 N the room or at the door when
 David Pollock was mur- deredi"
 The words of the witness were like a stone flung into pool of subtle in- ference that sent widening ripples of possibilities to lap the very shores of suspicion itself. Every eye was on Langdon now, but except for a tighten ing of the muscles about his jaw he gave no sign of perturbation or anger and was seemingly indifferent to the sweeping wave of conjecture which was like sentient thing, so strongly was its influence felt, though not a man or a woman moved.
 The actor himself was uneasy now, however, and cast apologetic glances at both Mary and Langdon.
 You say you overheard only a part of what was said before the police came. Will you tell us where you stood and why you heard only a part? ?' "Yes, sir. The door opens out-as is always the case in hotel rooms-and when I started to open it was behind it and therefore not visible from the room. But I could hear what was said when MT. Langdon and detective Far ley came out from the inner room of the suite where they had gone to look for Miss Page"
 And when the police came, did you remain in the room or did you join in the search for Miss Pager"
 "I joined in the search. and went with the police down the fire-escape and through the back street."
 What had become of Miss Pager?
 q don't know"
 Do you mean that the police did not find where she had gone?"
 "Yes."
 "What did you do?" aga. q returned to the hotel. got my hat and coat and went home"
 That is all,' said the prosecutor But the Judge leaned forward and voiced the question that everybody. in the courtroom was mutely asking.
 Do you mean to say that young lady in an evening gown and with no cloak walked through that street back of the hotel and that no one saw her! That you and the police got no clue in your search?"
 "Yes, your Honor. Mary Page had disappeared absolutely, and no one knows where she went"
 Langdon smiled, and the Judge sat back with little exclamation that was not complimentary to the police: but when the name of the next witness rang through the room he leaned for ward again and spoke with some irrita- ton to the prosecutor.
 'Is it your intention, sir, to develop through the testimony of THIS wit ness the whereabouts of Miss Page after the murder? It seems to me that that is the testimony that should be brought forward now"
 "YoNr Honor, the movements of Miss Page between the time she was left unconscious in the room at the Repub- lie until the following morning will have to be told by Miss Page herself. They are not known to me and I have no witnesses to testify to her where abouts or actions. I have, in fact, been unable to get anyone who actu- ally saw the prisoner during her flight. The truth must come out. of course, and I have in the meantime called the sister of David Pollock to develop an important line in the case for the State"
 Again Langdon smiled, and the Judge sat back with little shrug, as, amid murmurous wave of comment and curiosity the name of the new witness was repeated:
 Ruth Pollock!"
 The sister of the dead man who throughout the earlier testimony had sat unnoticed among the throng, was tragic figure in her trailing black gar ments as she went to the stand.
 Miss Pollock, you have known the prisoner. Mary Page. for some years. have you not?"
 "Yes, we were at school together and remained intimate friends after wards"
 Was your brother also a friend of hers?"
 "He was."
 'Was there ever any closer relation ship than that of mere friendship be- tween your brother and Mary Pager,
 "Yes. They were engaged to be mar ried."
 Even the Judge sat forward in his chair at the words. So simply uttered and yet so sharply changing the aspect of things The prosecutors next Ques- ton came quickly.
 Was your brother happy in his en- gagement?" he said.
 T don't know how to answer that question. He was happy because he wanted to marry Mary. but he knew she didn't love him."
 If Miss Page did not love your