"In the body found and no direct proof of criminal agency prisoner, although the chain of circumstantial evidence is complete and irresistible highest degree Nevertheless, all circumstantial evidence, and under the laws of New York the prisoner punished no right of discretion The law permit conviction in , although of us morally certain prisoner's guilt , therefore, gentlemen jury, compelled to direct you the prisoner not guilty "

"Judge," interrupted the foreman, jumping up box, " find that verdict under our oath; man is guilty "

"Sir," said the judge, " matter of law wishes jury considered The clerk will write verdict of not guilty, which you, as foreman, will sign "

The spectators broke out into threatening murmur that began to grow and gather volume The judge rapped desk and ordered the bailiffs promptly to suppress any demonstration audience Then he directed the foreman to sign the verdict prepared clerk he turned to Victor Ancona; his face was hard and cold glitter eyes

"Prisoner bar," , " put to trial before this tribunal on charge of cold-blooded and atrocious murder The evidence produced against you was powerful and overwhelming character seems left minds jury, nor indeed mind of any person present court room

"Had the question of your guilt been submitted twelve arbiters, conviction would certainly have resulted death penalty imposed But the law, rigid, passionless, even-eyed, has thrust in between you wrath of your fellows and saved you cry out against the impotency law; perhaps as wise as imperfect humanity could make it I deplore, rather, the genius of evil men who, by cunning design, are enabled to slip fingers law no word of censure or admonition , Victor Ancona The law of New York compels me to acquit you only its mouthpiece, with my individual wishes throttled I speak only those things which the law directs speak

" now at liberty to leave this court room, not guiltless crime of murder, perhaps, but rid punishment The eyes of men may see Cain's mark brow, but the eyes Law are blind "

audience fully realized what the judge had said they were amazed and silent They knew as men could know, that Victor Ancona was guilty of murder, and yet now going court room free Could it happen law protected only against the blundering rogue ? They had heard always boasted completeness law which magistrates immemorial had labored to perfect, and now skillful villain sought to evade it, they saw how weak thing

V

The wedding march of Lohengrin floated out Episcopal Church of St Mark, clear and sweet, and perhaps heavy with its paradox of warning The theater coming contract before high heaven was wilderness of roses worth the taxes of county The high caste of Manhattan, grace check book, were present, clothed in Parisian purple and fine linen, cunningly and marvelously wrought

Over in her private pew, ablaze with jewels, and decked with fabrics deft hand of many weaver, sat Mrs Miriam Steuvisant as imperious and self-complacent as queen To her all kind of triumphal procession, proclaiming her ability as general With her were choice few genus homo, which obtains five-o'clock teas, instituted, say the sages, of sprinkling the holy water of Lethe

"Czarina," whispered Reggie Du Puyster, leaning forward, "I salute you The ceremony sub jugum is superb "

"Walcott is an excellent fellow," answered Mrs Steuvisant; "not vice, , Reggie "

"Aye, Empress," put others, "a purist taken net The clean-skirted one altar Vive la vertu ! "

Samuel Walcott, still sunburned cruise, stood chancel only daughter blue blooded St Clairs His face was clear and honest voice firm life and not romance The lid sepulcher had closed and he had slipped from under it And now, and ever after, the hand red with murder was clean as any

The minister raised his voice, proclaiming the holy union before God, and this twain, half pure, half foul, now by divine ordinance one flesh, bowed down before it No blood cried ground The sunlight of high noon streamed down window panes like benediction

Back pew of Mrs Miriam Steuvisant, Reggie Du Puyster turned down his thumb "Habet ! "

From "The Strange Schemes of Randolph Mason," by Melville Davisson Post Copyright, 1896, by G P Putnam's Sons