agitated, and
answered with much reluctance. Lived at Mr. Means's. Was eighteen years
of age in October. Had been bound to Mrs. Means three years ago. Had
walked home with Mr. Hartsook that evening, and, happening to look out
of the window toward morning, she saw some one cross the pasture. Did
not know who it was. Thought it was Mr. Hartsook. Here Mr. Bronson
(evidently prompted by a suggestion that came from what Small had
overheard when he listened in the barn) asked her if Mr. Hartsook had
ever said anything to her about the matter afterward. After some
hesitation, Hannah said that he had said that he crossed the pasture. Of
his own accord? No, she spoke of it first. Had Mr. Hartsook offered any
explanations? No, he hadn't. Had he ever paid her any attention
afterward? No. Ralph declined to cross-question Hannah. To him she never
seemed so fair as when telling the truth so sublimely.

Bronson now informed the court that this little trick of having the old
soldier happen in, in the flick of time, wouldn't save the prisoner at
the bar from the just punishment which an outraged law visited upon such
crimes as his. He regretted that his duty as a public prosecutor caused
it to fall to his lot to marshal the evidence that was to blight the
prospects and blast the character, and annihilate for ever, so able and
promising a young man, but that the law knew no difference between the
educated and the uneducated, and that for his part he thought Hartsook a
most dangerous foe to the peace of society. The evidence already given
fastened suspicion upon him. The prisoner had not yet been able to break
its force at all. The prisoner had not even dared to try to explain to
a young lady the reason for his being out at night. He would now
conclude by giving the last touch to the dark evidence that would sink
the once fair name of Ralph Hartsook in a hundred fathoms of infamy. He
would ask that Henry Banta be called.

Hank came forward sheepishly, and was sworn. Lived about a hundred yards
from the house that was robbed. He seen ole man Pearson and the master
and one other feller that he didn't know come away from there together
about one o'clock. He heerd the horses kickin', and went out to the
stable to see about them. He seed two men come out of Schroeder's back
door and meet one man standing at the gate. When they got closter he
knowed Pearson by his wooden leg and the master by his hat. On
cross-examination he was a little confu