rosecutor.
"Suspicion of what?"
"Of knowing something concerning the death of Mr. Carwell."
An exclamation broke from the crowd, and Bartlett reeled slightly. He
was quickly approached by the same constable who had remained at
his side during the recess, and a moment later Coroner Billy Teller
adjourned court.
CHAPTER IX. 58 C. H.--I6I*
There was considerable excitement when it became known to the crowd, as
it speedily did, that Harry Bartlett, almost universally accepted as the
fiance of Viola Carwell, had been held as having vital knowledge of her
father's death. Indeed there were not a few wild rumors which insisted
that he had been held on a charge of murder.
"Oh, I can't believe it! I can't believe it!" exclaimed Viola,
when they told her. "It can't be possible that they can hold him on such
a charge. It's unfair!"
"Perhaps," gently admitted Dr. Lambert. "The law is not always fair; but
it seeks to know the truth."
Viola and her aunt were again in the room where Viola had been revived
from her indisposition caused by the shock of Bartlett's testimony.
Colonel Ashley, who, truth to tell, had been expecting some such
summons, went with Dr. Lambert.
"Oh, isn't it terrible, Colonel?" began Viola. "Have they a right to--to
lock him up on this charge?"
"It isn't exactly a charge, Viola, my dear, and they have, I am sorry to
say, a right to lock him up. But it will not be in a cell."
"Not in a--a cell?"
"No, as a witness, merely, he has a right to better quarters; and I
understand that he will be given them on the order of the prosecutor."
"He'll be in jail, though, won't he?"
"Yes; but in very decent quarters. The witness rooms are not at all like
cells, though they have barred windows."
"But why can't he get out on bail?" asked Viola, rather petulantly. "I'm
sure the charge, absurd as it is, is not such as would make them keep
him locked up without being allowed to get bail. I thought only murder
cases were not bailable."
"That is usually the case," said Colonel Ashley. "But if this is not
a suicide case it is a murder case, and though Harry is not accused
of murder, in law the distinction is so fine that the prosecutor,
doubtless, feels justified in refusing bail."
"But we could give it--I could--I have money!" cried Viola. "Aunt Mary
has money, too. You'd go his bail, wouldn't you?" and the girl appealed
to her father's sister.
"Well, Viola, I--of course I'd do anything
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