“The famous Philadelphia detective was then placed on the stand.
“‘Mr. Dabbs,’ said Quillet, ‘will you please face the jury and tell all
you know about the facts and circumstances connected with the death of
Harry W. Bramlett.’
“The renowned detective then unbuttoned his vest, leaned back in his
seat, and thrusting his thumbs through the arm-holes, surveying the
crowd for a moment, began as follows:
“‘I have for the last ten years practiced my profession in the city of
Philadelphia, and was employed by Doctor Demar to work up the Bramlett
case. I had been led to believe that the case was going to be a
difficult one to manage, and that impenetrable mysteries and dangerous
plots would have to be encountered and mastered before a correct
conclusion could be reached; but I do not hesitate to say that during
all my successful career as a detective officer, I never have met with a
case of murder by poison in which it was so easy to spot the perpetrator
as it has proved in this one.’
“‘We do not want to hear your opinion as to the sufficiency of your
evidence, Mr. Dabbs,’ growled Mr. Rockland. ‘Tell what you know about
the case, and let the jury weigh the proof.’
“‘That is exactly what I was coming to when you interrupted me. While
searching the premises we succeeded in making many wonderful
discoveries, all tending to fix the guilt on Miss----’
“‘Stop, sir!’ exclaimed Mr. Rockland, as anger flashed from his eyes.
‘If your Honor please, we do most earnestly protest against this manner
of proceeding!’
“‘Tell what you know about the case, sir, and let us have none of your
opinions as to where it fixes the guilt.’
“‘Very well, your Honor,’ said Dabbs, ‘I was just going to do that.’
“‘Proceed with your evidence,’ said Quillet.
“‘Well, as I was telling you a moment ago, we made some startling
discoveries while going through the premises where the murder was
committed. In a large wardrobe that stood in Miss Bramlett’s bedroom we
found a blue silk dress, which proved to be the property of that person,
and in the left-hand pocket we discovered a dose of strychnine wrapped
in a blue paper, exactly similar in all respects to those containing the
quinine that had been prepared and left by Doctor Dodson. During our
very satisfactory search, we discovered a small quantity (say one dose)
of quinine under the grate, and upon chemical test we found that one of
the blue papers that had been left by the doctor contained traces of
quinine and strychnine both; the quinine was next to the surface of the
paper, and the strychnine on top of the quinine, showing clearly that
the quinine had been emptied out of the paper and the poison put in its
stead. In the right-hand pocket of Miss Bramlett’s blue silk dress we
found a letter of a most mysterious character, addressed to her by a man
whom we have been shadowing all this time--an accomplice, as we have
good reason to think, though the evidence against him is not sufficient
to warrant us in demanding his arrest. As soon as I got possession of
the letter and the strychnine, I began to make my arrangements to take
Miss Bramlett by surprise, hoping thereby to precipitate her into a
confession. I entered her room in the jail disguised as a bill
collector, being aided, of course, by the jailer, who had orders to
assist me, I began to approach the subject which had caused my visit.
After beating round for some time, I threw off my disguise, and
confronted her as the officer of the law, intending by my sudden change
to surprise her, so she would not have time to invent a lie.
“‘“Miss Bramlett,” said I, as I threw off my disguise, “you are caught
at last, and the best thing for you to do is to confess and plead for
pardon.”
“‘I showed her the letter, and the strychnine that I had found in her
dress pocket, at the same time demanding an explanation. Then, sir,
commenced some of the most splendid acting that I ever witnessed in all
my life. I have seen Charlotte Cushman in “Guy Mannering;” I have seen
Julia Deen, Charlotte Thompson, Eliza Logan, and all of our favorite
actresses on the stage, but never has it been my good fortune to witness
such splendid acting as that performed by Miss Bramlett on that
occasion. I am willing to state on my oath that she seemed to grow at
least ten inches taller when I showed her that letter, and although I
could not swear that real fire flashed from her pretty eyes, yet
something of a strange light blazed from them that I considered a
first-class imitation of living fire. The manner in which she pointed to
the door, and the peculiar tone of voice she employed as she bid me go
through it, were indescribably grand, such as if acted on the stage
would create quite a sensation. The language used was of an emphatic
nature, and the pose so sublime that it caused me to forget my position
as an officer, and implanted in my mind a desire to be somewhere else.
If, however, I did for a moment forget my position as an officer, I did
not lose my self-respect as a gentleman; consequently, I at once made my
way through the door at which she was pointing, extremely disgusted with
my interview. The very impressive manner in which that young woman
invited me out of her room had the effect, I confess, to produce a
temporary confusion, causing me to withdraw rather hurriedly, and I did
not discover the fact that I had left the letter in her possession until
I was out of her presence. As soon as I could I returned to her room and
requested her to deliver the important document to me; but, sir, you may
imagine my astonishment, if you can, when she pointed down at her left
heel, which was on the letter, grinding it against the floor. Yes, sir,
she was, I will not say dancing a jig on the letter, but she was making
a first-class imitation of that sort of sport. If you will take the
trouble, Mr. Quillet, to examine this letter, sir, you will see the
print of her boot-heel on it; the words “Dear V.” you will observe have
been almost obliterated by the print of her heel; but I can prove by
Doctor Demar that “Dear V.” was plainly written at the top of that
paper.’
“Mr. Quillet now took the letter from Dabbs and read it to the jury.
“‘She is guilty beyond all doubt,’ whispered Hogjaw to Quillet. ‘Oh! it
is horrible to think that such a beautiful creature could be so cruel!
it will make me suspect everybody!’
“‘Mr. Dabbs, do you know the handwriting of that letter?’
“‘Being on my oath, and therefore bound to tell the truth, I regret to
say that I do not, but I have a very strong suspicion.’
“‘We care nothing about your suspicions,’ said Mr. Rockland; ‘be so good
as to confine your statements to what you know.’
“‘Very well, that is exactly what I meant to do, consequently, I say I
do not know who wrote that letter. The handwriting has evidently been
disguised, and the man I suspect is a shrewd rascal, who understands the
art of deception and concealment of evidence. We found rather a singular
contrivance at the back part of Mr. Ragland’s vegetable garden--it would
perhaps be a misnomer to call it a gate, but nevertheless, it had
evidently served the purpose of one. We could see where persons had
often passed through--the soft earth on the inside bore plainly the
imprint of shoe tracks, one a number eight, the other a number three
lady’s shoe.’
“‘What size shoe does Miss Bramlett wear?’
“‘She wears a number three--I procured one of her shoes, and compared it
with the track, and found that the fit was perfect! and I do not
hesitate to swear that the track was made by the prisoner.’
“I cast a glance at Lottie, being curious to know what effect this
startling evidence would have on her; but no signs of emotion were
visible on her features. She sat with her pretty eyes fixed on Mr.
Dabbs, as if endeavoring to read his thoughts, while the corners of her
mouth were both drawn down, and her lips firmly pressed together.
“Mr. Dabbs was kept on the stand for more than an hour, and when he was
ordered to stand aside every vestige of hope had fled from my bosom. The
proof of Miss Bramlett’s guilt appeared to me to be insurmountable and
overwhelming.
“Mr. Tadpoddle was then put on the stand, and I noticed that he had the
little eye on duty, while the large one calmly reposed in its hole. A
roar of laughter greeted the arrival of that singular specimen of
deformed humanity. Mr. Tadpoddle’s evidence was nothing more nor less
than a confirmation of that given by Dabbs; but it was all that the
court and Mr. Rockland could do to prevent him from telling what his
remarkable sister knew about the case.
“‘Call in your next witness,’ exclaimed Flipout impatiently, as
Tadpoddle left the stand.
“‘Bring Miss Tadpoddle now, Mr. Sheriff,’ said Quillet as he turned
round and addressed the officer.
“The eyes of two hundred men were riveted on the tall, straight form of
the witness as she moved proudly down the aisle; a scornful curl on her
thin, bloodless lips, and a haughty bend of her long, stringy neck, as
she flashed a glance of defiance at the spectators, told plainly what
contempt she felt for all of the human race, and that part of it in
particular. Her costume was of the flashy style, the dress being crimson
silk; with as much of the material in her train as had been used in the
remainder of the garment; and as to cheap lace, and pinchbeck jewelry,
she looked as if she had just been in a storm, where such articles had
rained down on her from the clouds. She had as much paint on her face as
a Comanche chief would have used in three months while on the war-path.
Her hat contained all the colors of the rainbow, with the star-spangled
banner thrown in, while three tall plumes of different colors waved high
above her head, like those that I had seen on the hat of an
old-fashioned militia captain at a regiment muster.
“‘Take a seat, Miss Tadpoddle,’ said Quillet as he pointed toward the
chair, ‘and tell us all you know about the case now on trial.’
“‘La bless your soul, sir, if I were to tell everything I know about
this case it would take me a week! Now I never exaggerate or get
excited; I am different from other young girls--I despise exaggeration!
You know there are a great many people who would not tell a lie under
any circumstances, yet they have a despicable habit of exaggerating
everything. Very well, I am not that sort of a girl--I always confine
myself closely to the truth without exaggeration. There is my particular
friend, Miss Clattermouth, Heaven bless her dear little soul! She is the
sweetest creature in the world, though she has fallen into the
detestable habit of exaggerating. You know her I presume, Mr. Quillet?
Yes, I have heard her speak about you very often; the fact is, she is a
stanch friend of yours, and so am I; but let that pass.’
“‘Please tell us what you know about the Bramlett murder?’
“‘Ah! yes, I beg your pardon, Mr. Quillet, that was the very thing I was
doing when you interrupted me. Well, you see my sweet little friend
Clattermouth came to see me one day--and, by the by, she visits me very
often--and we were correcting the proof-sheets of her forthcoming
lecture, which she was going to deliver at the next meeting of our Tramp
Reform Association; the subject of the Bramlett murder came up, and Miss
Clattermouth was thinking that it might be a good idea to mention the
case in her lecture, when I said, says I:
“‘“Jerusha----”’
“‘Stop a moment, Miss Tadpoddle,’ said the judge as he began to rub both
sides of his nose with great vigor. ‘Mr. Quillet,’ he continued, ‘you
will have to propound direct questions to this witness--we cannot have
the time wasted in listening to this rigmarole. Direct the mind of the
witness to the facts you expect to prove by her, and put a stop to this
nonsense.’
“‘Miss Tadpoddle,’ said Quillet, as he moved closer to her, ‘if you ever
heard a conversation carried on between Miss Bramlett and Benjamin
Bowles, in which strychnine was mentioned, please tell all you heard.’
“‘La bless your soul, that is the very thing I was telling when the
judge interrupted me! Yes, indeed, I did hear them talking about murder,
poison and many other awful things--that is, I heard Miss Bramlett
talking about them, but Mr. Bowles was a mere listener. I inferred from
what I saw and heard that Mr. Bowles was greatly annoyed by her strange
questions about the effect of strychnine as a poison; the fact is, I
think he is a perfect gentleman--a little wild, I admit, but withal a
man of honor; he has made many liberal donations to our Tramp Reform
Association, and my friend Miss Clattermouth says that he promised
to----’
“‘Miss Tadpoddle,’ exclaimed the judge, ‘can you not tell what you know
about this case without giving a history of all creation?’
“‘La, bless your soul, yes!’
“‘Well, go on and do it then!’
“‘That is exactly what I was doing when you interrupted me. I was
telling what my friend Miss Clattermouth said about Mr. Bowles.’
“‘Tell us what you know about Miss Bramlett’s connection with her
brother’s death, and let Mr. Bowles and Miss Clattermouth alone.’
“‘Miss Tadpoddle,’ said Quillet, ‘if you will just answer my questions,
I dare say we shall get along much better. What did Miss Bramlett say to
Mr. Bowles about strychnine?’
“‘She asked him how much strychnine it would require to produce death,
and if a doctor could tell when it had been caused by that sort of
poison; I heard her say it with my own ears, and I would swear it on a
stack of Bibles as high as this court-house; and I never exaggerate
either--I despise people who do exaggerate! I told my friend Miss
Clattermouth about it; I said, says I:
“‘“Jerusha,” says I----’
“‘Stop, Miss Tadpoddle, don’t tell what you said, but let us hear what
Miss Bramlett said.’
“‘That is the very thing I have just told you; but if it will do you any
good, I can tell it again.’
“‘When was it you heard the conversation which you have just mentioned?’
“‘About one week before she poisoned her poor little brother.’
“‘Where did it occur?’
“‘In the alley just in the rear of Mr. Bowles’ apartments.’
“‘How did you happen to see Miss Bramlett and Bowles on that occasion?’
“‘Well, if you must know, I was playing the rôle of detective; I had my
suspicions aroused by a little circumstance that transpired previous to
that time, and I resolved to unravel the little mystery--in other words,
I made up my mind to get even with Miss Bramlett, for she insulted me
when I asked her to join our Tramp Reform Association, and I determined
to have my revenge. I told my friend Miss Clattermouth all about it, as
soon as we met, and we then began to arrange our plans to expose that
hussy. I told my dear friend, says I:
“‘“Jerusha,” says I----’
“‘Never mind what you told your friend--confine your statements to what
you heard Miss Bramlett say.’
“‘That is the very thing I was doing when you interrupted me.’
“‘If you ever saw Miss Bramlett go from Mr. Ragland’s residence to the
apartments of Mr. Bowles, tell all about it.’
“‘La, bless your soul, I was telling that very thing when you
interrupted me; yes, I should say I did see her go to the apartments of
Mr. Bowles! The night was quite dark, and the lamp-lights were very dim,
but I was close enough to see her go through the slip-gap at the back of
the garden. I was determined to stick to her until I could find out what
she was up to. I never give up when I undertake anything--I despise
people who always give up when they encounter difficulties! I followed
her to Bowles’ quarters, and it was after she came out of his apartments
that I heard her asking about the strychnine.’
“‘If your Honor please,’ said Mr. Rockland, ‘I cannot imagine what
object my friend has in view by the introduction of this rigmarole. It
would seem that the attorney for the State had lost sight of the charges
contained in his bill of indictment, and was seeking merely to destroy
the young lady’s character.’
“‘Let them go ahead, papa,’ said Lottie, ‘don’t stop them--that is the
very thing we want them to prove.’
“‘Pshaw! child, you don’t know what you are talking about!’ growled the
iron lawyer.
“‘Yes I do, papa, let them walk into the trap--I’ll spring the trigger
directly.’
“‘If the court please,’ said Mr. Quillet, ‘we think the evidence is
competent in all respects. We have proved by this witness that the
defendant was planning the murder a week before it was perpetrated.’
“‘We withdraw the objections,’ said Mr. Rockland, ‘you may go on with
the evidence.’
“‘We are through with the witness,’ observed Mr. Quillet, ‘and she may
retire, unless you wish to cross-examine her.’
“‘Stand aside,’ growled Mr. Rockland, as he waved his hand slowly.
“‘No, no, papa,’ said Lottie, ‘don’t let her go yet--I have some
questions to ask her.’
“‘Hold on a moment, if you please, Miss Tadpoddle,’ exclaimed Mr.
Rockland; ‘if your Honor will permit Miss Wallingford to ask the witness
a few questions, we will esteem it a favor. She has been with the
defendant most of the time, and is very familiar with the points of the
case.’
“‘Certainly, certainly!’ said the judge, ‘let Miss Wallingford ask as
many questions as she pleases.’
“A great sensation was caused among the spectators at this new turn of
things, and a scramble for front seat ensued. The crowd swayed back and
forth, while all the lawyers moved close to Lottie, and gazed at her
with open mouths.
“‘Now the fun begins,’ whispered Quillet to Hogjaw.
“‘Miss Tadpoddle,’ said Lottie, in a calm, firm tone, ‘I believe you
said the night you saw Miss Bramlett with Bowles was very dark?’
“‘Yes, of course I did; and I’ll say it again, if it will do you any
good.’
“‘Never mind, once will do. How did you know it was Miss Bramlett if the
night was so dark?’
“‘How did I know it was she?’
“‘Yes, how could you know it was Miss Bramlett, when it was so dark that
you could not see her face?’
“‘I never said I saw her face; the fact is, I did not see her face,
because she had it concealed behind a heavy veil.’
“‘Then how did you know it was Miss Bramlett?’
“‘I knew her by the dress she had on--it was her blue silk and I knew it
as well as I know my own silk, because I helped her alter it one day. It
was too short in the skirt, and I let it out so as to make it the proper
length.’
“‘How could you tell it was a blue silk dress when it was so dark?’
“‘I followed her down the street, and when she would pass near a
lamp-post I could see the color of the dress distinctly.’
“‘Then the only reason you have for saying it was Miss Bramlett was
because you knew the blue silk dress?’
“‘No, that is not the only reason, by a long jump, I’ll let you know.’
“‘What other reasons have you besides the dress?’
“‘Didn’t I see her come out of Mr. Ragland’s house, and go to Bowles’
quarters? Didn’t I see her meet him in the garden at another time, when
I was waiting to meet Mrs. Ragland?’
“‘Well, tell us about the first time you saw Bowles and the woman
together in the garden.’
“‘Haven’t I told it? What do you want me to tell it a dozen times for?’
“‘The witness will answer the questions promptly!’ said the judge.
“‘Oh! very well, I can tell it over a thousand times if you want it. I
saw Miss Bramlett meet Bowles in the garden one night, about a week
before I saw her go to his quarters.’
“‘Did she have on the same blue silk dress the first time you saw her
meet Bowles?’
“‘I don’t know--I was not close enough to tell.’
“‘How did you know it was Miss Bramlett, then?’
“‘The servant told me that Mrs. Ragland had gone visiting, and while I
was waiting for her return, I saw a woman meet Bowles in the garden, and
knowing that Mrs. Ragland was not at home, I knew it must be Miss
Bramlett--now you have it.’
“‘Then the only thing that caused you to think it was Miss Bramlett was
the fact that you saw a woman in the garden, and having been informed
that Mrs. Ragland was not at home?’
“‘Yes, I suppose that is the way of it.’
“‘Did you go up to Miss Bramlett’s room to ascertain whether she was
there or not?’
“‘Why should I go up to her room to look for her, when I saw her in the
garden?’
“‘You did not know it was Miss Bramlett you saw in the garden; it might
have been some one else.’
“‘It might have been somebody else, but it wasn’t.’
“‘How can you swear that it was not somebody else?’
“‘How many times do you want me to tell it?’
“‘Only once.’
“‘Haven’t I told you more than once?’
“‘Answer the question, madame,’ said Flipout, while he rubbed his nose
unusually hard.
“‘What was the question?’ inquired Miss Tadpoddle as she looked daggers
at Lottie.
“‘I asked you how you could swear it was not somebody else you saw in
the garden.’
“‘I never said I could swear it was not somebody else.’
“‘Very well; then can you swear that it was Miss Bramlett?’
“‘You can’t make me swear a lie if you work on me till Gabriel comes
with his trumpet!’
“‘I do not want you to swear falsely; I would much rather hear you swear
the truth.’
“‘That is precisely what I mean to do; I never exaggerate; I hate
exaggeration--it is my nature to despise it!’
“‘Miss Tadpoddle, do you, or do you not, know who the woman was that you
saw in the garden?’
“‘I will not swear positively that I did know who she was, but I thought
it was Miss Bramlett.’
“‘When you were playing detective that other night, what kind of a gown
did you have on?’
“‘Now, I should like to know what on earth you ask such a question as
that for?’
“‘Answer the question,’ thundered Flipout.
“‘Very well, if you must know, I did not have on any gown at all.’
“‘How did you happen to be parading the streets at night without a
gown?’
“‘Did you never see any one clad without a gown?’
“‘How were you dressed on that occasion?’
“‘I had on a suit of my brother’s clothes; now, then, what else do you
want to know about it?’
“‘How far were you from Bowles when you heard the woman ask him about
the strychnine?’
“‘I suppose I was twenty yards from him.’
“‘Did you recognize Miss Bramlett’s voice?’
“‘I wouldn’t swear that I did, because I wasn’t close enough to do that;
though I knew it was she by the dress.’
“‘What reply did Bowles make when she asked him how much strychnine it
would take to kill?’
“‘I did not hear his reply distinctly.’
“‘Did Bowles accompany the woman to Mr. Ragland’s house?’
“‘He parted with her in the garden, after kissing her a dozen times. I
declare, it made me sick to see such carryings-on!’
“‘How did you get into the garden?’
“‘Why, I just put one foot on the railing and then set my other foot on
the railing on the other side; then I jumped over, the same as a man
does when he gets off a horse.’
“‘Did you see Mrs. Ragland on the first night you discovered Bowles and
the woman in the garden?’
“‘No; I waited for her until I got tired, then I went home.’
“‘You may stand aside now,’ said Lottie.
“Then Miss Tadpoddle gathered up her skirts and giving Lottie a scornful
look, moved away with long and rapid strides.
“‘Quillet,’ whispered Hogjaw, ‘you have caught a tartar, I think.’
“‘How is that?’
“‘That Miss Wallingford has got a trap set for some of your witnesses, I
infer from the shape of her questions. I tell you, she is a trump, as
sure as you are born; and she will spring a mine under your case yet
that will blow it skyward. I know by her looks and the manner of her
questions that she means mischief; somebody is going to get scratched
yet before this case is ended.’
“‘She lacks a great deal of being a fool, at any rate, and I should be
very glad if she can develop any facts that would benefit her
unfortunate friend.’
“‘Why did you not have Bowles arrested as an accomplice?’
“‘The proof against him is not sufficient to convict, though it looks
very suspicious; and then I wanted to use him as a witness.’
“‘Which witness will you examine next?’ said the judge.
“‘Bring in Benjamin Bowles, Mr. Sheriff,’ said Mr. Quillet, without
giving a direct answer to the judge’s question.
“Mr. Bowles walked forward with a dignified step and serene countenance,
and took his place in the witness box, as he cast a scornful glance on
the jury. His dress was fashionable, faultless, and eminently exquisite,
cut in the most approved style of dandyism. A large diamond pin flashed
its bright rays from his bosom, and mingled with the sparkle of the
gaudy rings on his fingers. His hair was very glossy, richly perfumed,
and nicely parted in the middle, while his white cravat was tied in a
most beautiful fashion. There was a look of bold impudence about the
countenance that amounted to an insult, while you could see an
indescribable something that convinced you that Satan had sealed him as
his own property.
“‘Mr. Bowles,’ said Mr. Quillet, ‘are you acquainted with Miss Viola
Bramlett?’
“‘Yes.’
“‘How long have you known her?’
“‘Five or six months.’
“‘If she ever asked you any questions about strychnine, please state
what she said.’
“‘On several different occasions Miss Bramlett propounded questions to
me of a very startling character, but I do not recall the exact words
she used. I remember one night, about a week before her brother’s death,
she asked me if a doctor could tell when any one had been killed with
strychnine. She also wanted to know how much strychnine it would take to
produce death.’
“‘What reply did you make to such questions?’
“‘I evaded the questions by changing the conversation to other topics,
but she would whip round and get back to the same subject. She persisted
in pumping me on the subject, until my suspicions were roused, and I
avoided her after that.’
“‘Where were you when you had the last conversation with her about
strychnine?’
“‘She commenced the conversation at my apartments, but continued to talk
on the same subject after we got into the street.’
“‘She had been visiting you at your rooms, then?’
“‘Yes.’
“‘Did you ever meet Miss Bramlett in Mr. Ragland’s garden?’
“‘Yes, very often.’
‘“If the court please,’ said Mr. Rockland, ‘I do most earnestly protest
against this sort of evidence.’
“‘Hush, papa!’ whispered Lottie, as she kept plucking at Mr. Rockland s
sleeve, ‘let him go on; he is already in my trap, and is one of the main
birds I have set the net to catch!’
“‘We withdraw all objections to the evidence,’ said Mr. Rockland as he
resumed his seat and gazed inquiringly at Lottie. ‘What in the name of
common sense do you mean, daughter, by a trap set for the witnesses?’
“‘Bowles has sworn to an absolute falsehood, and I will trap him before
long.’
“‘Take the witness, Mr. Rockland,’ said Mr. Quillet as he leaned back in
his seat, thrust his hands in his pockets, while a smile of triumph
played on his handsome features.
“‘I will cross-examine him,’ whispered Lottie as she began to turn the
leaves of a memorandum book which she held in her hand.
“‘Mr. Bowles, what is your occupation?’
“‘I am a sportsman.’
“‘Please explain what you mean by the word sportsman?’
“‘I mean that I am a turfman, and follow the business as an occupation.’
“‘Are you not the owner and proprietor of a gambling hell in this city?’
“‘I don’t know that there is any hell about it.’
“‘You need not answer any question, Mr. Bowles, that would tend to
criminate you,’ said Mr. Quillet.
“‘Oh, I am perfectly willing to answer all questions.’
“‘Very good, then I will repeat the question. Are you not the keeper of
a gambling house in this city?’
“‘No, I am not; but I keep a suite of rooms where my friends frequently
assemble to engage in a harmless game of cards, merely for amusement.’
“‘Do you run a faro bank, and a roulette table at those rooms?’
“‘I am not a faro dealer myself, though such a machine is sometimes
operated there.’
“‘Now, Mr. Bowles, do you swear that Miss Viola Bramlett ever was inside
of your apartments?’
“‘Yes, certainly I do.’
“‘Did anybody else ever see her in your quarters, besides you?’
“‘I don’t think they ever did.’
“‘Were you ever acquainted with a woman by the name of Victoria Totten?’
“If an adder had stung Mr. Bowles in a vital part, he could not have
changed color as quickly as he did when the name of Victoria Totten was
mentioned. His face, which was actually florid, turned as pale as death,
and his white hands trembled as he put a glass of water to his lips. His
agitation, however, was only temporary, for he was a bold villain, who
could command himself under adverse circumstances.
“‘What name was it you asked me about, madame?’
“‘I asked you if you ever knew a woman named Victoria Totten?’
“‘I declare, I don’t remember; the names, however, seem familiar to me,
but I can’t exactly call to mind any acquaintance of that name.’
“‘Perhaps I can assist your memory a little. Did you know the widow
Totten, who resided three or four miles from Vicksburg, Mississippi, who
had a daughter named Victoria?’
“‘I don’t think I did.’
“That answer was made by Bowles in a tremulous tone, while he showed
signs of great uneasiness.
“‘Have you ever been married, Mr. Bowles?’
“‘No.’
“‘Did you ever live in New Orleans with a woman whom you represented to
be your wife?’
“‘Yes.’
“‘If the court please,’ said Mr. Quillet, as he sprang quickly to his
feet, ‘I must confess I cannot see wherein this kind of evidence can
have any connection whatever with this case.’
“I heard Lottie whisper to Mr. Rockland, as I was sitting near her:
“‘Tell the court, papa,’ said she, ‘that we will connect it with the
case very soon.’
“The iron lawyer then said to the court:
“‘We think we will be able to connect this testimony with this case, and
if we fail, then your Honor can rule it out.’
“‘The court cannot see the applicability of the evidence to the case now
on trial, but the defendant has a right to introduce evidence in the
order chosen by her attorney. I will not give any opinion just now, but
will decide upon it when all the testimony has been put before the
court. Proceed with the examination.’
“‘What was the name of the woman whom you represented to be your wife?’
“‘I had rather not answer that question, as it might compromise a lady’s
character.’
“‘We object to the question,’ said Quillet.
“‘We insist on an answer,’ said Mr. Rockland; while Bowles changed from
a deep red color to a deathly pallor.
“‘The court will not permit such questions to be propounded, unless the
attorney for the defense can state some reasons for inquiring into the
private history of a woman residing in New Orleans.’
“‘The woman alluded to,’ said Mr. Rockland, ‘does not reside in New
Orleans at this time; but she is here in the city of Memphis; and Miss
Wallingford informs me that we will connect all this proof directly with
the case now on trial.’
“‘In view of that statement, the court will permit the question to be
asked.’
“Bowles moved uneasily backward and forward in his seat, wiped the big
drops of perspiration from his brow and coughed several times. As he
played with his watch chain I could see that his hands were trembling
and his face became deathly in its pallor.
“Lottie repeated the question.
“‘Her name was Rose Elrod.’
“‘Where is she now?’
“‘I don’t know.’
“‘Mr. Bowles, don’t you know that you were living with Miss Victoria
Totten, a young girl whom you had induced to elope with you?’
“‘No, I do not.’
“‘We have got him safe in the trap at last,’ said Lottie, in a whisper,
as she put her mouth close to my ear.
“I remembered the time when that identical scamp insulted her, when she
was a helpless orphan child, and how he swore a lie against Harry. Then
I thought of the old adages: ‘Chickens will come home to roost,’--‘Every
dog will have his day,’ etc. Lottie was having her revenge now; though
she was not actuated by any feeling of that sort--but she was working to
save her friend.
“She took a letter from her satchel, and after carefully removing it
from the envelope handed the latter to Mr. Bowles.
“‘Is that your handwriting, Mr. Bowles?’
“He first held the paper close to his eyes, then at arm’s length; he
next twisted himself round, as if he wanted some light, and wiped his
brow hurriedly.
“‘I can’t say--that is, I think--er--er--I was not certain--ahem! I was
under the--well, the writing looks a little like mine, though I can’t
say I wrote it.’
“‘Can you swear that you did not write it?’
“‘I--I--I--that is, I don’t know--I don’t think I did!’
“‘Mr. Quillet,’ said Lottie, ‘please loan me the note about which Mr.
Dabbs testified.’
“Mr. Quillet handed it to her.
“‘Mr. Bowles, did you write that note?’
“‘No, I did not.’
“‘Mr. Bowles, don’t you know that that letter was intended for the woman
whom you represented to be your wife, and not for Miss Viola Bramlett?’
“‘I know nothing whatever about that note.’
“‘Don’t you know that the woman with whom you lived in New Orleans, the
same one you represented to be your wife, is now living in the city of
Memphis?’
“‘No, I do not.’
“‘The witness may stand aside,’ said Lottie, as she turned round and
whispered to me.
“‘Eddie, we have got the birds in the trap at last! I will spring the
trigger when the next witness takes the stand.’