The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-16


 N The deferential voice halted
 Philip as he was on his way from court to Mary's cell. and he swung about with the frown of one whose days are made up of unpleasant interruptions by strangers.
 Langdon had been at the office most of the night looking up certain points of law and his temper was none too good.
 ''Well?" he snapped, and the pallid- faced man with the stopped shoulders winced and drew back little.
 I'm sorry. sir, but I thought I ought to tell you, sir. It's-it's about the guns"
 ''The guns!" The frown faded from Langdon's face. and he looked down at the man with a sudden interest. Who are you?"
 James Watson, sir. l am waiter at the Criterion Club where MT. Pol lock resided. I also acted as his confl- dential man during my off hours. sir. You see. I am an extra, not 8 regular waiter in the dining-room."
 Langdon drew deep breath and laid his hand on the others stopped and servile shoulder.
 This is not the place to talk" he said quietly. You'd better come down to my office with me. I have few minutes yet before the recess is over" The man bowed, and Langdon, turn ing, led the way into the private room beyond the courtroom, and waving the waiter to chair, sat down him. self on the edge of the table.
 Now" he said. what about the Lguns?"
 Well, it's this way sir," said James, twirling his hat in his nervous fingers. T used to be in MT. Pollochs room a lot, sir, and I knew all his guns. He had lot of them-they were sort of fad of his. There was two pairs of re- volvers-duellin' pistols he called 'em but that there gun in court aint one of those.
 Tt was his own special one. He had the barrel sawed off extra short so it would fit easy in his pocket. He show ed it to me. and said that if anybody ever did for him. they'd have to move quick ar than he did. And then. sir, it was his own gun that killed him. Life's queer thing, ain't it"
 Langdon nodded vaguely, too disap- pointed at the failure of this new hope
 
 was saying.
 q suppose he said drily, you won't mind telling that fact in court, will you?"
 He looked sharply at the waiter. NO, sir.''
 The waiter hesitated a moment, then flushed and stammered, TT wish it might have been one of 8 pair, sir if it 70 Ia du. y,1v wife and admired her picture so. took quite an interest. you see, being as how I knew him, sir. I'd seen her photograph in his room, too. and-I Know what sort of a man he was. ain't sorry he's dead, and I'd like to help if I could. One night I saw him grab her by the arm and I could see she hated him.
 T saw her that night, MT. Pollock gimme a pass. and afterwards ! saw him
 He broke off abruptly, then leaned forward staring up at Langdon. the lifelong servility of the man who serves falling from him for minute as he said sharply:
 MT. Langdon, MT. Pollock had . Tight with somebody over the telephone at the club that night, and he didn't go to the Hotel Republic alone!"
 'What!"
 Philips exclamation was shrill in its excitement but before he could ask any questions that rushed to his lips, the bailiff rapped at the poor, announce ing that His Honor was ready to re- open court.
 With a shrug of impatience Langdon gathered up the papers he had flung upon the table.
 T shall have to put you on tho stand, and ask the questions would like to ask now" he said to the waiter. You don't mind, suppose?'
 There was a note of anixety in his ypics. l said the little man with a calmness that was not without dignity. My wife is in the court, sir, waiting to hear me-"
 He spoke rather proudly; the atti- tude of a waiter seemed suddenly to leave him.
 He was like a soldier who has hesi- tated. and then. having made up his mind to fight. goes invincibly to bat te
 Langdon smiled, and clapped him on the shoulder in friendly fashion that drought 8 flush of pride to the face Of the older man.
 Then he led the way out into the corridor again.
 At the door of the witness room he paused moment and opening it. call- ed to Brennan, the detective. who had figured in the trailing of Daniels. and said quietly:
 T want Dave Pollock's chauffeur. If possible, have him in court within an hour or two"
 "Yes, sir.'
 And Brennan-get the carriage man at the Hotel Republic too. The man who was on duty in front of the hotel a2N2N2H2H292G2N2G2N2NaN2Na