The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1916-06-09

Lap9don! He was either III
the room or 1T the door when
4 u James Pollock was murdered!
The words of the witness were like
a stone 6ung into a pool of subtle IN
ference that sent Overwhelming ripples
OF possibilities to lap the very shores
of suspicion itself. Every eye was on
Langdon now, but except for tight
ening of the muscles about his jaw ne
gave no sign of perturbation or anger.
The actor himself was uneasy now,
however, and cast apologize glances at
both Mary and Langdon, moving nerv-
ously in the witness-stand as the pros
ecutor took up his questioning again.
You say you overheard only a part.
of what was said before the police
came. VIII you tell US where you
stood and why you heard only part?
"Yes, sir. The door opens out-as is
always the case in hotel rooms-and
when started to open it was behind
it and therefore not visible from the
room. But could hear what was said
when Mr.. 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 Page?"
II joined in the search, and went
with the police down the ire-escape
and through the back street"
what had become of Miss Page@'
Il don't know"
do you mean that the police did not
find where she had gomez
Yes
What did you do?'
81 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 mean to say that a young
lady III 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 yonr search?''
"Yes. your Honor Mary Page had
disappeared absolutely, and no one
knows where she went
Langdon smiled. and the Judge sat
back with a 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 irri,
tation 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? 1t seems to me
that that is the testimony that should
be brought forward now"
''Your Honor. the movements of
Miss Page between the time she was
left unconscious in the room at the
Republic until the following morning
will have to be told by Miss Page her
self. They are not known to me and
] have no witnesses to testify to her
wherea bouts or actions. l have, in
fact, been unable to get anyone who
actually saw the prisoner during her
fight. The truth must come out Of
course, and l have in the meantime
called the sister Of James Pollock to
develop an important line in the case
for the State"
Again Langdon smiled, and the
Judge sat back with a little shrug. as,
amid a 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?"
Eyes. we were at school together and
remained intimate friends Afterwards"
WAS your brother also friend of
hers?''
"He was"
"Was there ever any closer relation
ship than that Of mere friendship be-
tween your brother and Mary Page"
"Yes. They were engaged to be mar
RED"
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.
.1 don't know how to answer that