the clock stood at
five minutes to twelve on that fatal day. Think of your conversation
with the girl Roxana," he went on to Hickory, "and then think of that
woman crouching behind the rack, listening to your words, and see if you
can draw any other conclusion from the expression of her face than that
of triumph at seeing a way to deliver her lover at the sacrifice of
herself."

As Byrd waited for a reply, Hickory reluctantly acknowledged:

"Her look was a puzzler, that I will allow. She seemed glad----"

"There," cried Byrd, "you say she seemed glad; that is enough. Had she
had the weight of this crime upon her conscience, she would have
betrayed a different emotion from that. I pray you to consider the
situation," he proceeded, turning to the District Attorney, "for on it
hangs your conviction of her innocence. First, imagine her guilty. What
would her feelings be, as, hiding unseen in that secret corner, she
hears a detective's voice inquiring where she was when the fatal blow
was struck, and hears the answer given that she was not where she was
supposed to be, but in the woods--the woods which she and every one know
lead so directly to Mrs. Clemmens' house, she could without the least
difficulty hasten there and back in the hour she was observed to be
missing? Would she show gladness or triumph even of a wild or delirious
order? No, even Hickory cannot say she would. Now, on the contrary, see
her as I do, crouched there in the very place before the telescope which
she occupied when the girl came to the observatory before, but unseen
now as she was unseen then, and watch the change that takes place in her
countenance as she hears question and answer and realizes what
confirmation she would receive from this girl if she ever thought fit to
declare that she was not in the observatory when the girl sought her
there on the day of the murder. That by this act she would bring
execration if not death upon herself, she does not stop to consider. Her
mind is full of what she can do for her lover, and she does not think of
herself.

"But an enthusiasm like this is too frenzied to last. As time passes by
and Craik Mansell is brought to trial, she begins to hope she may be
spared this sacrifice. She therefore responds with perfect truth when
summoned to the stand to give evidence, and does not waver, though
question after question is asked her, whose answers cannot fail to show
the state of her mind in regard to the prisone