THE SEED OF TRUTH.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2354, 21 November 1908, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE SEED OF TRUTH.

Thousands of men throughout the world are each day patiently- seeking in the labyrinthino ways of evidence the proof or disproof of some poor wretch’s guilt, the penalty of whose conviction perhaps is death; and the life of a man may bo lost or saved by a thread, slender, yet so unbrcaking and sure that it holds inevitable truth in its meshes. Sometimes there is only a tiny seed of truth, but a grain of gold outvalues ten of dross. A man occupied the irear-end compartment in a trai'n» bound north from Lucerne. Ho was leaning leisurely against the doorframe watching the crowding throng in the station* as tlie train took on its burden preparatory for the journey. He was powerfully built and oven in this attitude of repose he letrayed tlie tense control with which ho dominated the abundant energy ’which pervaded him. He was an American. The train was about to start when the traveller - noticed a woman struggling through the crowd toward it. She had scarcely reached the rear end when, the train started and the American, jumping down, caught her buggage and assisted her to mount to the compartment which he was occupying. When they had recovered their composure a'nd he had stowed awav her baggage, lie remarked that she 'was young, richly dressed in a sweeping fur-lined ulster and jaunty travelling hat which seemed hauntingly familiar to him. (She was unmistakably French. Oh! he remembered her standing opposite to him at Monte Carlo on the night of his fortunate play when the croupier had put into his hands the returns of liis lucky hazard. He also remembered tlie expression of hatred and avidity from the eyes across the table as lie turned to leave. Presently she felt his questioning gaze and spoke: Oh, monsieur je vous remerei! Vous inavez sauve!” - . Though he caught the meaning ol her words in her smile and gesture he only bowed his acquiescence and settled back to read his paper. She sighed and glanced at him from time to time, but his attention was soon absorbed and silence reigned except for the rumble of tho speeding tram. Once he laid aside the paper to draw out and light a cigar, but she was gazing intently out into the closing darkness. . Then suddenly she spoke m Eng- “ Monsieur, give to me 5000 francs!” . , , . .. Tho American looked up questioniu"ly. 4 4 jVlonsieur* giv'o me oQOO fi niics, she repeated, calmly, looking directlv into his eyes. He returned her look fixedly. . “Madam, you are mistaken. I am an American, traveller. We have never met before. “But, monsieur will give to me tlie money,” she said, this time with unmistakable menace in her voice. He did not answer at once. Evidently this was not .1 case of mistaken identity, it was a threat. But how could' this mite of a woman carry out tlie menace she implied in her persistent demand and eloquent gesture. His hand evasped the butt of his revolver as lie answered : “And if I will not. - "’ “Then I will scream.” slie answered simply. . ... He smiled at Ins own credulity. The woman was mad 1 But this idea was quickly dispelled by tlie look ot desperate determination she fixed upon him as she said: “I will give to monsieur tnree minutes.” . . . , They sat doggedly facing each other, she watching the hands of a tiny watch, he vainly ooiijoctuiing her next- move. The train begin to slow up for tho next station. The three up antes ticked by. Then she deliberately - threw aside her watch, tore her hat from her head, dishevelled her hair till it- streamed in wild, disorder over her shoulders anil even du” - her nails into her cheek till tlie blood smeared her face. Meanwhile she threw - open the window and screamed: “A moil Help, ze American!” and littered sighs and stifled ”roans. The American leaned back in' his seat and waited, tlie only evidence of his excitement in the furious puffing of his cigar between his set teetli. Before th e train had come to a stop in the station the gendarmes had boarded and the accused man .faced four revolvers. Still lie waited, a frown of perplexity on liis brow, his lips drawn tensely over his cigar, while the woman gave the officers a hurried account of her struggle and held up to them the portemonnaie, which, she averred, he had not been able to wrest from her before the tram arrived at tlie station. The case looked clear. Ihe American rose to accompany the gendarmes as their prisoner, when suddenly he stopped and motioned them aside with a gesture so convincing that tliev loosed their rough hold and stood bfick. . He took the cigar from between liis teeth. The aslies clinging to its end were an inch long.