nowledged the statements made by Paul Herscher to be true, but
stated in explanation that he received the money from Mr. Schulte on
their way home on the evening of the murder, in payment of a debt due
him, and that, fearing he might be suspected, he had gone to Paul,
and handing him the money, had requested him, if inquiries were
instituted, to confirm the statement which he had then made.

That this statement seemed of a doubtful character was recognized by
every one, and that a full examination into the truthfulness of his
assertions was required was admitted by all; and, after other
testimony, not, however, of a character implicating him in the
murder, was heard, the State's attorney pressed for such a verdict as
would result in holding Bucholz over for a trial.

After a long deliberation, in which every portion of the evidence was
considered by the jury, which had listened intently to its relation,
they returned the following verdict:

"That John Henry Schulte came to his death from wounds inflicted with
some unknown instrument, in the hands of some person or persons known
to William Bucholz, and we do find that said William Bucholz has a
guilty knowledge of said crime."

This announcement occasioned great surprise among the people
assembled; but to none, perhaps, was the result more unexpected than
to William Bucholz himself. He stood in a dazed, uncertain manner for
a few moments, and then, uttering a smothered groan, sank heavily in
his seat.

The officers of the law advanced and laid their hands upon his
shoulder; and, scarcely knowing what he did, and without uttering a
word, he arose and followed them from the building. He was placed
upon the train to Bridgeport, and before nightfall the iron doors of
a prison closed upon him, and he found himself a prisoner to be
placed on trial for his life."

[Illustration: "_The officers of the law advanced and laid their
hands upon his shoulders_"--]

CHAPTER VII.

_Bucholz in Prison._--_Extravagant Habits and Suspicious
Expenditures._--_The German Consul Interests Himself._--_Bucholz
committed._

Sorrowful looks followed the young man as he was conducted away, and
frequent words of sympathy and hope were expressed as he passed
through the throng on his way to the depot, but he heeded them not. A
dull, heavy pain was gnawing at his heart, and a stupor seemed to
have settled over his senses. The figures around him appeared like
the moving specters in