The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-05-14
CHAPTER XIV.
Confession

Tllh MS HaHuS CIabpeu Denlnu
NAV his back and his brows bent
Wv in n frown that made him
look oddly old and tired
Langdon paced slowly UP and down,
over and over in his mind he went
back through the testimony OF the
long trial OF Mary Page. He was con-
hdent now. as he had not been con-
fdent In the beginning. that she had
not shot David Pollock in a frenzy OF
delirIous fear
But who HAD killed him7
That was the problem!
Never in all his experience had he
remembered SO battling a case.
AT least half dozen times he had
felt that his fingers were at last upon
the right thread that would lead out Of
the maze. but each time his ediflce OF
hope had crumbled.
The doorman at the Hotel Republic
had repeated only what the chauffeur
had already told-that Shale had left
Pollock as soon as he got out OF the
machine; but even so Langdon had
sent Brennan and his confreres to
scour the town for him.
He ought not to be hard to find: but,
Dnce found, could he tell anything?
That was the question.
And so. YEARLY and endlessly, Lang
don paced the stone-paved room, dou-
bly, ugly in the clear light OF the early
morning.
Suddenly he was halted in his self
Imposed sentry duty by the sound OF n
knock on the door. and in response to
his come in" Daniels entered.
Il looked for you over at the Office"
he said. but they told me you were
mere"
did you want me for anything spe-
rial?'' asked Langdon coldly. and the
theatrical man flushed.
Yes" he said. Il did. I had long
talk with my wife last night. and she
and l decided that the hoodoo on The
Covington is too black for US. anyway.
for me- and she-she said she wanted
me to come down here and ask you to
put me on the stand again. Do you
understand what l meant"
81 think do" said Langdon quietly,
though n flame had leaped into his
eyes. You want to tell what you
ulun l say DelOfe :.
He was too clever to let this man
know how jubilant he was.
yes" said Daniels at may not
be important. yet somehow / know it
Is. lists about what / heard when
passed the door OF the gray suite
that night
Thank Cod" cried Langdon, and
drew his chair close TO that OF Daniels.
When they entered the courtroom to-
gether an hour later every trace of
anxiety and suffering had been wiped
from Langdon's face.
He looked buoyantly young. and
when he passed Mary. he whispered
something to her that brought light
10 her eyes too, and though there was
surprise there was no fear on her face
when she herself was called as the frst
witness OF the day.
Miss Page" said Langdon In the
vibrantly happy voice Of one who sees
success Just ahead. "on the night when
you went into the gray suite from the
banquet room were you wearing or
carrying your cloak?'
81 slipped 1t on as 1 came into the
hall. I carried my gloves and my
evening bag"
Did you see Mr.. Pollock the minut,
you entered the room?"
mo"
What did you do?"
81 slipped off the cloak again because
It was warm and laid It on chair will
my gloves and bag"
Where was that chaIr?"
The question snapped like a Will
lash, and for a moment Mary hest
tated.
I'm not quite sure" she said slowly
then, with more assurance: why
yes, l am. 1t was towards the doc
into the other room because it wa
then that l saw Mr.. Pollock come out
And you retreated?"
Yes" The answer was breathe,
rather than spoken, but Langdon push
ed on, too eager to spare her.
Did he come toward you?"
"Yes."
Did he follow you so far that h
came between you and that chair?"
why. Of course. He-he-cam
right up to me-"
She shuddered and hid her face /,
her hands, as the tide OF recollection
swept over her. but Langdon had onl
one more question.
Then in order TO secure the revolve
from your bag. you would have had I
push past him and secure the ba
from under your cloak. would yo
not?"
Yes. But I-I-dont remember wha
happened"
THAT is all. thank you, Miss Page.