The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-01

dDU HIS SCdle was DedC11lc.
 'No trouble at all, old boy," he declared Pleasure to do anything for you. What a night! What place! What life!''
 The little omnibus rolled off amidst chorus of thanks from it's occupants and little bouquet of kisses flung by the ladies, to which Mr. Cray gallantly responded. He watched the vehicle turn the corner of the square. Then he returned to his hotel and went to bed.
 Even the examining magistrate himself, a gray and ponderous gentleman, seemed conscious of the sense of drama which per- vaded the musty room with it's high win dows and bare, polished floors, in which next morning, he conducted his preliminary investigation into tho circumstances attend ant upon the murder of Jacques Cassiat.
 Before him stood the wretched youth, Jacques Cassiat, junior, gendarme on either side on his left hand was his clerk; on his right hand, installed ir seat of honor, sat Mir. Cray, who in addition to his passport, made point of always carrying with him credentials of the highest order.
 Furthermore, seated some distance away, was the widow of the murdered man, with the neighbor Francois Lafont. The two whispered to each other frequently. Once, when the boy had burst into tirade against ~her unkindness to his father she had passed her arm as though for protection through her companion's.
 Neither seemed entirely at ease. Their presence in court during the boys exami- nation was unusual and unexplained Neither of them found it pleasant
 The magistrate broke somewhat pro- longed silence, glancin. up from the notes which he had made during his examination of the boy. He turned to the latter, purs- ing out his lips, settling his horn-rimmed spectacles little more firmly upon his nose, and tapping upon the desk with his penholder.
 custody, probably to be charged with the murder of your father, Jacques Cassiat, senior, of the Orchard Farm. You obsti- nately deny your guilt Yet it has been proved that you left the house after vio- lent quarrel with your father, that those quarrels were of almost daily occurrence, and that he was found stabbed in his chair by the first person who entered the room after your departure. In the face of these facts, do you still obstinately deny your guilt?"
 T am not guilty" the boy declared pas sionately. '"I swear that I never raised my hand against him! Before the good God"
 Monsieur Droumbet, the advocate, had risen to his feet. He brandished his arm before the boys face.
 Remember" he cried, and the boy broke off in his passionate outburst.
 Monsieur Droumbet. turned to the magistrate.
 Monsieur le Magistrat," he began, and his voice was charged with portentous meaning, q beg to be allowed to submit evidence on behalf of the accused"
 The magistrate nodded. In the back ground, Francois Lafont and the woman by his side unlocked hands and sat little apart. They both leaned forward to listen. The woman's black eyebrows nearly met The mans lips had parted, showing un- pleasant yellow teeth.
 "I beg to ask Your Honor to examine this photograph" the advocate continued passing one up to the magistrate.
 The magistrate studied the picture which had been submitted for his inspection.
 That is photograph of Orchard Farm" Monsieur Drou4nbet went on, taken by a photographer employed by an English ci- nema firm, who waits without for your examination. I ask you, sir, to look at the window on the left What do you see?"
 q see," the magistrate replied, "the blurred but distinguishable form of man