The Mystery of the Hidden Room

room I hastened to her and led her to a chair, giving her a reassuring smile as I did so. She looked so little, and so tired, so

, that as he looked into her sweet, gentle face his duty became none too pleasant for him and he conversed wit

ert, has a word to say before w

speak, Cunningha

win has to say first before you attempt

ace which I could not account for, as she stared at him uncomprehendingly, but as the f

gh I were the judge before whom she was taking an oath, "I am innoce

drew me down so that

eak quietly-"when I found you in the study I was startled, but never o

As long as I knew her innocent what mattered what anyone thought, was her

ersion of the events of last night," said the corone

al dread lest she incriminate herself beyond redemption, and yet I kne

Mr. Cunningham. "Your best plan, M

s if his words found an echo in her own heart, she looked once more toward me a

counsel. I was powerless to help her in the face of her guileless a

teful night, most of which was already known to those present in the room, the on

. It was closed and I had to pull quite hard to open it. As I did so I thought I heard someone breathe quite close to me. I was paralyzed with fright, but as moment after moment passed and I heard no further sound, I decided I w

When she had sipped it she thanked him with a sweet smile and I saw the old man hastily wipe away a tear as he departed

a step I trod on something hard. Mechanically, I stooped and picked it up. It was then that the lamp lighted and I saw Phil lying there-dead-almost beside me. I was stunned and stood like one stricken until I

oner's face was reflected on the countenances of the jury. It was an i

tudy instead of groping in t

m to follow and see what I was doing," she answered quietly, thereby drawing the noose tighter about her own neck

s and failed to see the look of relief

do you recogni

l's. It's the o

d she answer these questions with so much directness and sincerity. I could see that he inclined toward the latter assumption for his tone g

y, how could I know what he was doing when I d

the name of Cora Mannin

oice trembled slightly as

are s

her," repeate

our husband must have thought a good deal of her for he had torn u

sir, but my husband's affairs were his o

eral millions?" spoke up the juror wh

oroner. "By a legal agreement entered into at the time of our mar

tinge of bitternes

der gives it all to you," cont

h insinuations," I cried, for Cunn

traveled over the stern, set faces of the jury. Then her hand fluttered

sture. "Kindly permit me to conduct this investigation," he said curtly, t

he answered. It was plain she

have done so

ppose

ppen to remove

she said, highly insul

ion?" Cunningham awoke suddenly t

ingham," responded t

timent slipped that stoneless ring on his finger, and then had troubl

oroner. "After all, the ring has nothing to do wi

nic smile upon his lips, the coroner picked up

N

you s

es

ief that you are holding

he held it up beside the blood-stained handkerchief. T

wo articles upon the table and

g to me," she said in a frightened voice. "Phil bought it for me at th

range-his buy

me any more. I-I didn't want

ou did not love Philip Darwin, will yo

ingly, and this time

have nothing to do with-with Phil's death, and

your silence will m

r," she answered wit

. What is your fathe

n't think-but he wasn't here la

ormality," replied the co

rlton?" she asked me,

e you had bett

with Mrs. Baile

main where you are, please, we will now

ned the pistol and have taken an impression of the finger-prints upon the handle. I have the enla

ssions that he desired. Then followed silence while he compared them with

mes?" asked

l are the same as those made by Mrs. Darwin here in your presence and there are no other prints of any kind upon the

ive at a decision. We had not long to wait. No sooner had they filed out than they were back again, nor do I think that anyone wa

till believe in me

. I shall always believe in you even ag

en for the second time in twenty-four hour