Evening star., 1918-09-01
Anna Katharine Green

IL. OlO ne see IN TINS opVloue kact
prophecy Of what lay before the man
point Of intruding7
The house was 10 arranged that to
reach the main entrance It was nec-
essary to pass certain window.
As As they did 80 the figure Of Mr.: Rob
yond moving about in an interested
present c6mfSl table arrangement. TO
these men bent on an errand as far
as possible removed from interests Of
berts' pleasure in the promise OF fu-,
ture domesticity gave painful shock,
and raised in the minds Of more than
one of them doubt-perhaps the first
In days-whether q man SO heavily
weighted with a burden of unac-
pleasurable absorption in his new
surroundings.
However, when they came to see
him nearer, and marked the stiffening
of his body and the light toss-up of
his head. as he noted the number and
their spirits fell again. for ne was
certainly broken man, however
much he might seek to disguise It.
Yet there was something in this ex-
traordinary mans personality--a
force or a charm wholly dissociated it
qualities which insure respect-which
appealed to them in spite of their
new-found prejudice. and prevented
any dallying with his suspense or the
use of any of the common methods
usually employed in an encounter Of
this kind.
The chief inspector, to whom the first
say had been given, faced the director
squarely, as he saw how the hand
which had just welcomed the district
attorney, fell at his approach.
You are surprised, Mr.. Roberts. and
rightly. to see me here not only in
connection with the prosecuting at
torney of the city Of New York, but
with member of my own force.
This, you will say, is no political del
expect. Nor is 1t. Mr.. Roberts. But
let us hope you will pardon this SUBJ
terfuge when you learn that 1t was
resorted to for the sole purpose of
sparing you all unnecessary unpleas-
no longer be avoided or delayed"
Let US sit" ~ '7'
1t was his only answer.
When they had all complied, the
district attorney took the lead by
saying:
II. am disposed to omit all prelimi-
object in this visit and that is to clear
up to your satisfaction, as well as to
our own, certain difficulties Of an un-
expected nature which have met us
IN our Investigation into the crime in
'Wn,ch se,,n, y you, ,,, as director Of the mu-
selves as protectors Of the public
peace, are all vitality concerned" NJ
Granted" came In the most cour-
teous manner from their involuntary
host Yet fail to understand why
50 many are needed for purpose SO
laudable," -l-f- -.
Perhaps this will no longer sur
prise, you, II YOU will allow me to
draw your attention to this chart"
T,atr,nt Was the a..s answer made, to this by the
Here he took from portfolio which
ne carried q square Of paper which
he proceeded to lay out on q table
standing conveniently near.
Mr. Roberts threw a glance at 1t
and Strengthened again.
Explain yourself" said he. II am
quite at your SERVICE"
The district attorney made, perhaps.
one ne OF the greatest efforts OF his life.
~ see that you recognize this chart.
Mr. ROBERTS. You know when 1t was
made and why: But what you may
not know is this: That in serving It's
original purpose, 1t has proved to be
our guide In another Of equal, IL not
greater, Importance. For instance, 1t
shows us quite plainly who of all the
HASOCHS a. Tie llIn6 OF urSC
alarm were near enough to the cura-
tors office to be in the line Of es-
cape from the. particularly se-
cluded spot from which the arrow
was delivered. OF these persons only
one fulflls all other necessary corldi-
tions with an exactness which ex-
cuses any special interest we may
feel in him. It Is he who is tabulated
here as number 3" -
1t was said. Mr.. Roberts was we'll
acquainted with his own number. He
did not have to follow with his eye
the point of the district, attorneys
finger to know upon whose name 1t
prise. shock-the greatest which can
befall man-struggled with count
less other emotions in his usually i'm
passive countenance. Then he re-
gained his poise, and with q curiously
sarcastic smile such as his lips had
seldom shown. he coldly asked:
"And by what stretch Of probability
do you pick me out for this attack?
There were other men and women in
this court, some very near me. II re-
member rightly. In what are their
characters superior. or their claims
to respect greater. that you should
thus single me out as the fool or
knave who could not only commit so
wild and deSpicable an act. but go 30
far in foliy-let alone knavery-as to
conceal 1t afterward?"
mo evidence has been found against
the others you have named which
could In any way connect them with
this folly-or shall we say knavery.
since you yourself have made use Of
n. 80 - IA -