Graham guardian., 1922-09-26
CHAPTER XIX
The Closing of the Trap.


The Closing of the Trap.
Payne was struggling with his per-
plexities about month before the
date set for the trial when Jim Belts
and Kitty came to his Office, Kitty
sobbed ont her story, while Payne lis
tened in utter amazement
"Why did you do this, Mrs. Bos-
tock?" he asked. when he had heard
her to the end.
Because love VIII and wanted to
, help him." she answered.
"You are willing to tell this story in
the witness-box just as you've told 1t
to -me?'
/ "I Will" cried Kitty. "If It will
save will--if It's needed to save him."
AS the day Of the trial drew nearer
Payne knew WINS case was desperate.
Public opinion was inilamed against
! him, and Bowyer's skillful campaign
had borne rich fruits.
| Without animus, but In the resolve
to clear his own reputation for laxlty,
Quinn had worked up the case until
each link appeared complete. Ander-
I sen, who followed the Indian witnesses,
| testified reluctantly that se lad over
heard Wilton request the pseudo po-
| licemen to delay their journey to Clay
ton. as he, did not wish Joe B0stock's
death to be known, for business rea-
sons. until some time later.
There. followed Paplllen and Jean
Passepartout, who stated that they
had been told by the outlaw, Hackett.
that Wilton had murdered J6e Bostock.
Having already come TO thess opin.
ion, and being afraid Of having the
! guilt laid to them. they had decided to
run away.
Suddenly there came buzz Of ex-
citement in the court room, All eyes
we're turned toward the crown attor-
ney. .at whose side stood BowyCr him
4 self; and II was evidently the inten-
tion of the prosecution to call him to
| the stand.
Payne's eyes, attracted upward sud
denly, saw Kitty In her widows black.
seated in the front row or THE gallery,
her eyes fixed In terror upon the new
conner. And. as II drawn by the force
of her will, Bowyer looked up, and
Payne saw the flicker of smile cross
his red, vulpine countenaRce.
Bowyer, called. deposed that he had
known Joe Bostock intimately for sew
eral years. They had always been
friendly, though often business rivals.
"When did yon first learn of his
deathY' asked the crown attorney.
mot for several days after"
"But you met the accused at the
Hudson's Bay company's store at Big
Muskeg few days after the eventf'
1.-TWO days after"
"What did he say to you about the
tragedy"
"He told me Joe Bostock was not
with him."
sand he said nothing about his
death?"
"No. i knew nothing about 1t for
two or three days after that"
"Was his demeanor that Of a guilty
man3"
Payne leaped to his feet. Il object
to that question:" he shouted. But
Bowyer was already answering:
"He looked like man mad with
fear"
As he spoke he glanced upward
There came a scream from the gallery
and Kitty fell back, fainting In hei
chair.
The court adjourned until the NOR
row. Payne went to his client almost
Immediately.
"what do you make Of It all?" asked
Wilton grayely.
ut looks bad answered Payne.
81 was a fool to hide Joe's death
Inquire for Kitty when you go back
and try to let me know how she is
won't your And tell her not to worry
Tell her I'm going to pull out triumph
antly, for the sake of the line" said
Wilton.
Payne left him with the resolve tt
put Kitty upon the stand. ne uiu ho'
tell Wilton this, He would have
avoided this had 1t been possible. But
II was the only chance remaining. The
jury might believe her.
Suddenly there leaped INTO Payne'i
mind the overwhelming conviction that
Bowyer was at the back Of the mur
der, Nothing else could explain his
yindictIveness. He learned that Kilt,
was recovering, and, before returning
TO inform Wilton, he had the impulse
to go to Jim Belts quarters. He want
ed to see the only man who still be
lleved In Wilton's innocence.
At Belts home he was told that th'
old man had left Clayton two weeks
before, and had not yet returned.
Payne made his way slowly back &
the Jail. He had to uphold his fniti
alone--his faith In an aequittal. II
was the hardest job he had ever haS