Evening journal., 1916-05-20
CHAPTER XIV.
Confession


Wv in a 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
ong trial OF Mary Page. He was con-
hdent now. as he had not been con-
ddent in the beginning, that she had
not shot David Pollock in a frenzy OF
ielrious fear
But who HAD killed him2
THAT was the problem
Never IN all his experience had ne
-emembered so battling case.
At least a half dozen times he had
.elt that his fingers were at last upon
The right thread that would lead out OF
The maze. but time MS eoihce OF
nope had crun.
The doorman be Hotel Republic
aad repeated only that the chauffeur
,ad already told-that Shale had left
Pollock as soon as he got out Of the
machine; but even 40 Langdon had
sent Brennan and his confreres to
,cour the town for him.
He ought not to be hard TO find; but
,nce found, could he tell anything2
That was the question.
And so. wearily and endlessly, Lang
ion paced the stone-p paved room, dou-
Div ugly in the clear light OF the early
morning.
Suddenly he was halted in his self
imposed sentry duty by the sound OF a
knock on the door, and in response to
iis come in" Daniels entered.
Il looked for you over at the once"
he said, "but they told me you were
here"
Did you want me for anything spe-
ciai7" asked Langdon coldly, and the
theatrical man flushed.
yes" he said, Il did. I had a long
talk with my wife last night and she
and | decided that the hoodoo on The
Covington is too black for US, anyway
No good can come out OF that place
,or me, and she-she said, she wanted
me 20 come down here and ask you tS
put me on the stand again. DO yot
understand what 1 meanT
Il think I do" said Langdon quietly
though a flame had leaped into hi
eyes. you want to tell what yoi
didn't say before?''
He was too clever 70 let this mai
know how jubilant he was.
'sYes." said Daniels. 1T may no
be- important. yet somehow / know
Ia. Its-it's about what / heard whei
passed the door Of the gray suit
that night"
"Thank Godl" cried Langdon, an'
irew his chair close TO that OF Daniels
When they entered the courtroom to-
gether an hour later every trace O.
anxiety and suffering had been wipe'
from IanCdons face.
He looked buoyantly young, an'
when he passed Mary he whispered
something to her that brought a ligh
to her eyes too. and though there wal
surprise there was no fear on her fac'
Nhen she herself was called as the mrs
witness Of the day.
Miss Page" said Langdon IN tn
yibrantly happy voice OF one who see
success just ahead, ION the night whel
sou went into the gray suite from tn
banquet room were you wearing o
carrying your cloak?"
Il slipped II on as / came into IN
hall. carried my gloves and m
evening bag"
eDid you see Mr. Pollock the minui
sou entered the roomY'
NO"
what did you do7"
p, slipped of the cloak again becau'
e vas warm and laid IL on chair vii
any gloves and bag"
Where was that chair?"
The question snapped like a VIII
lash. and for a moment Mary hes
fated.
I'm not quite sure" she said SLOWLY
hen. with more assurance; "Wh
ses. I am II was towards the do
tnto the other room because it vi
.rer that ! saw Mr. Pollock come out
And you retreated?'
yes The answer was breathe
rztrer thar spoken. but Langdon pusl
81 cr. TOO eager to spare her.
-uld he come toward you?"
yes
DID he follow you 30 FAR that
came hetFeen you and that chair.
WHY. of course. He-he-can
right up 10 me"
she shuddered and hid her face
her hands. as the tide Of recoliecti'
swept over her. but Langdon had on
one more question.
Then I'm order 10 secure the revoiv
from your bag. you would have had
push past him and secure the bi
from under your cloak. would -
aot9'
Yes But I-I-don't remember VIII
happened"
THAT is all. thank YOU. Miss Pag'
said Langdon. and turning to the bail
he added briskly:
Call Mr.. Daniels"
A sense OF something big impendi
stirred the spectators and the ~
alike. and the Judge himself keei
alive 20 that new note in Langdo
voice turned deliberately in his ch
as Daniels began his testimony.
Everyone IN the room leaned Il
ward tense with excitement
afr. Daniels" began Langdon "
no preliminaries. "on the night OF
banquet you walked with Miss Pa