strongly moved, and so also whole house; Mrs Pratt and women were weeping when he sat down, and many an eye that was full of hate was riveted unhappy prisoners

Witness after witness was called state, and questioned ; but the cross questioning was brief Wilson knew furnish nothing valuable side People were sorry for Pudd'nhead Wilson; his budding career would get hurt trial

Several witnesses swore they heard Judge Driscoll say public speech twins their lost knife again needed it to assassinate somebody with not news, but now seen sorrowfully prophetic, and profound sensation quivered hushed courtroom dismal words were repeated

The public prosecutor rose and said within his knowledge, through conversation held with Judge Driscoll last day life, that counsel defense had brought him challenge person charged bar with murder; that he had refused to fight with confessed assassin-- " , field of honor," but had added significantly, ready for him elsewhere Presumably the person here charged with murder was warned that kill or be killed the first time meet Judge Driscoll If counsel defense chose to let the statement stand so, call him witness stand Mr Wilson said offer no denial [Murmurs house: " getting worse and worse for Wilson's case "]

Mrs Pratt testified that she heard no outcry, and know what woke her up, unless it sound of rapid footsteps approaching the front door She jumped up and ran out hall just as she was, and heard the footsteps flying up the front steps and then following behind her as she ran sitting room There she found the accused standing over her murdered brother [Here she broke down and sobbed Sensation court ] Resuming, she said the persons entered behind her were Mr Rogers and Mr Buckstone

Cross-examined by Wilson, she said the twins proclaimed their innocence; declared taking walk, and had hurried house in response to cry for help so loud and strong had heard it at considerable distance; begged her gentlemen just mentioned to examine their hands and clothes-- done, and no blood stains found

Confirmatory evidence followed from Rogers and Buckstone

The finding knife was verified, the advertisement minutely describing it and offering reward for put in evidence, and its exact correspondence description proved Then followed few minor details, case state was closed

Wilson said that he had three witnesses, the Misses Clarkson, testify met veiled young woman leaving Judge Driscoll's premises back gate cries for help were heard, their evidence, taken with certain circumstantial evidence which call court's attention to, would opinion convince the court that still one person concerned crime who yet been found, and also that stay of proceedings granted, in justice clients, until that person discovered As late, ask leave to defer the examination three witnesses until the next morning

The crowd poured place and went flocking away in excited groups and couples, taking the events session over with vivacity and consuming interest, and everybody seemed to satisfactory and enjoyable day except the accused, their counsel, and their old lady friend no cheer , and no substantial hope

In parting twins Aunt Patsy did attempt good-night with gay pretense of hope and cheer , but broke down without finishing

Absolutely secure as Tom considered himself , the opening solemnities trial had nevertheless oppressed him with vague uneasiness, his being nature sensitive to even the smallest alarms; but moment poverty and weakness of Wilson's case lay exposed court, comfortable once more, even jubilant He left the courtroom sarcastically sorry for Wilson "The Clarksons met an unknown woman back lane," to himself, " his case ! I'll give him century her in--a couple if he likes woman who doesn't exist any longer, clothes that gave her her sex burnt up ashes thrown away-- oh, certainly, he'll find HER easy enough ! " This reflection set him to admiring, hundredth time, the shrewd ingenuities he had insured himself against detection--more, against even suspicion

"Nearly always in cases like this some little detail or other overlooked, some wee little track or trace left behind, and detection follows; but here there's not even the faintest suggestion of trace left No more than bird leaves when it flies air--yes, night, say The man track bird air dark and find that bird man to track me out and find the judge's assassin--no other need apply And job that laid out for poor Pudd'nhead Wilson, of all people ! Lord, pathetically funny him grubbing and groping woman that don't exist, right person sitting under his very nose all the time ! " The more he thought the situation over, the more the humor of it struck him Finally , "I'll never let him hear the last woman Every time I catch him in company, dying day, I'll ask him guileless affectionate way that used to gravel him so when I inquired how his unborn law business was coming along, 'Got on her track yet--hey, Pudd'nhead ? '" to laugh, but not have answered; there were people about, and mourning uncle up his mind good entertainment to look in on Wilson that night and watch him worry over his barren law case and goad him with an exasperating word or two of sympathy and commiseration

Wilson wanted no supper, he had no appetite He got out all the fingerprints of girls and women collection of records and pored gloomily over them an hour or more, trying himself that that troublesome girl's marks were there somewhere and overlooked But not so He drew back his chair, clasped his hands over his head, and gave himself dull and arid musings

Tom Driscoll dropped in, an hour after dark, and said with pleasant laugh as seat:

"Hello, we've gone back amusements days of neglect and obscurity for consolation, have we ? " and up glass strips and held it against the light to inspect it "Come, cheer up, old man; there's no use in losing your grip and going back child's play merely because this big sunspot is drifting across your shiny new disk It'll pass, and you'll be all right again"--and he laid the glass down "Did win always ? "

"Oh, no," said Wilson, with sigh, "I didn't expect that, but 't believe Luigi killed your uncle, and very sorry for him It makes me blue And feel as , Tom, prejudiced against those young fellows "

"I don't know ," and Tom's countenance darkened, memory reverted kicking "I owe them no good will, considering the brunet one's treatment of me that night Prejudice or no prejudice, Pudd'nhead, I don't like them, and get their deserts you're not going me sitting mourner's bench "

up another strip of glass, and exclaimed:

"Why, here's old Roxy's label ! going to ornament the royal palaces with nigger paw marks, too ? date here, seven months old , and she was nursing me and her little nigger cub There's line straight across her thumbprint How comes that ? " and Tom held out the piece of glass to Wilson

" common," said the bored man, wearily "Scar of cut or scratch, usually"--and the strip of glass indifferently, and raised it toward the lamp

All the blood sank suddenly out face; his hand quaked, and he gazed polished surface before him glassy stare of corpse

"Great heavens, what's the matter , Wilson ? going to faint ? "

Tom sprang for glass of water and offered it, but Wilson shrank shuddering and said:

"No, no ! --take it away ! " His breast was rising and falling, and he moved his head about in dull and wandering way, like person who stunned Presently , " feel better when I get to bed; overwrought today; yes, and overworked for many days "

"Then I'll leave you and let you get to your rest Good night, old man " But as Tom went out he couldn't deny himself small parting gibe: "Don't take it so hard; body can't win every time; you'll hang somebody yet "

Wilson muttered to himself, " no lie sorry , miserable dog though ! "