lsome, and once he
heard a chair or some article of furniture overthrown. Was awakened
about two by footsteps on the stairs, followed by the sound of oars
in the lower hall. He told his story plainly and simply. Under
cross-examination admitted that he was fond of detective stories and
had tried to write one himself; that he had said at the store that
he would like to see that "conceited ass" swing, referring to the
prisoner; that he had sent flowers to Jennie Brice at the theater, and
had made a few advances to her, without success.

My head was going round. I don't know yet how the police learned it
all, but by the time poor Mr. Reynolds left the stand, half the people
there believed that he had been in love with Jennie Brice, that she
had spurned his advances, and that there was more to the story than
any of them had suspected.

Miss Hope's story held without any alteration under the
cross-examination. She was perfectly at ease, looked handsome and well
dressed, and could not be shaken. She told how Jennie Brice had been
in fear of her life, and had asked her, only the week before she
disappeared, to allow her to go home with her--Miss Hope. She told
of the attack of hysteria in her dressing-room, and that the missing
woman had said that her husband would kill her some day. There was
much wrangling over her testimony, and I believe at least a part of it
was not allowed to go to the jury. But I am not a lawyer, and I repeat
what I recall.

"Did she say that he had attacked her?"

"Yes, more than once. She was a large woman, fairly muscular, and had
always held her own."

"Did she say that these attacks came when he had been drinking?"

"I believe he was worse then."

"Did she give any reason for her husband's attitude to her?"

"She said he wanted to marry another woman."

There was a small sensation at this. If proved, it established a
motive.

"Did she know who the other woman was?"

"I believe not. She was away most of the day, and he put in his time
as he liked."

"Did Miss Brice ever mention the nature of the threats he made against
her?"

"No, I think not."

"Have you examined the body washed ashore at Sewickley?"

"Yes--" in a low voice.

"Is it the body of Jennie Brice?"

"I can not say."

"Does the remaining hand look like the hand of Jennie Brice?"

"Very much. The nails are filed to points, as she wore hers."

"Did you ever know of Jennie Brice having a scar on her breast?"

"N