had come to her
house, and had asked her whither her husband had gone, and she had every
evidence to believe he went after him.

There were other witnesses, who swore that about this time Charles
Stevens left the town and was gone away for some time. Charles
remembered that on that occasion he had taken a journey to Rhode Island.

Then came two strangers, evidently sea-faring men, of the lowest order.
They were brutal, unscrupulous and had lived the lives of buccaneers, as
was afterward proved. Both swore that they knew the defendant, although
he had never seen either before. They saw the defendant slay Samuel
Williams on Long Island, near the beach, and both gave a graphic account
of his dragging the body along the sand and hurling it into the water,
where the tide bore it away. Their statements were corroborative.

Bly and Louder were next produced, who gave evidence that the defendant
had confessed to them that he had slain Samuel Williams, and that
defendant was greatly enamored of the murdered man's wife.

Mr. Parris and others testified to having seen him in the company of
Sarah Williams on divers of times, and that he had shown great fondness
for her.

"What have you to say to this evidence?" asked the chief justice to the
prisoner.

"I can only say they are all grievous liars."

"The jury will take notice how the defendant assaults men of
unquestioned character. Even the minister is assailed."

There was a murmur of discontent, in which even some of the jury joined.

Judges, jury and prosecutors were all against Charles, and his trial
must result in conviction. The people were excited at the dastardly
murder, and began to complain at the delay in the trial, which wore
tediously on day after day for nearly a week.

At last the evidence was all in, and the last argument made. There was
everything against the prisoner. The prosecution had been so skillfully
planned and executed, that there could be but one result. Charles
Stevens was very calm, while Cora was carried away in a fainting
condition. Mr. Waters went to the prisoner to speak with him.

Charles' face was white as death; but his mind was clear and showed not
the least agitation.

"There can be but one result," the prisoner said. "An acquittal is
impossible. Be good to Cora and mother, and keep them both away on that
day. It would be too much for them. They would not forget it to their
dying hour."

Mr. Waters assured him that his last req