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 Java 7 for Absolute
Beginners

■■■
Jay Bryant
Java 7 for Absolute Beginners
Copyright © 2012 by Jay Bryant
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a computer system, for exclusive use by the purchaser of the work. Duplication of this publication or parts
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version, and permission for use must always be obtained from Springer. Permissions for use may be obtained
through RightsLink at the Copyright Clearance Center. Violations are liable to prosecution under the respective
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ISBN-13 (pbk): 978-1-4302-3686-3
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For Clancey, Kylie, and Philip
–Jay Bryant
 Contents at a Glance

Foreword ................................................................................................................ xiii

About the Author ..................................................................................................... xiv
About the Technical Reviewer .................................................................................. xv
Acknowledgments .................................................................................................. xvi
Introduction ............................................................................................................ xvii

■Chapter 1: Writing Your First Java Program ........................................................... 1

■Chapter 2: Java Syntax.......................................................................................... 15
■Chapter 3: Data Types ........................................................................................... 35
■Chapter 4: Operators ............................................................................................. 51
■Chapter 5: Control Flow, Looping, and Branching ................................................. 77
■Chapter 6: Object-oriented Programming ............................................................. 95
■Chapter 7: Writing a User Interface ..................................................................... 111
■Chapter 8: Writing and Reading Files .................................................................. 151
■Chapter 9: Writing and Reading XML ................................................................... 169
■Chapter 10: Animation ......................................................................................... 185
■Chapter 11: Debugging with Eclipse.................................................................... 205
■Chapter 12: Video Games .................................................................................... 221
■Chapter 13: Garbage Collection ........................................................................... 249

iv
 ■ CONTENTS AT A GLANCE

■Chapter 14: Recursion ......................................................................................... 263

■Chapter 15: Generics and Regular Expressions................................................... 279

Index ....................................................................................................................... 291

v
 Contents

Foreword ................................................................................................................ xiii

About the Author ..................................................................................................... xiv
About the Technical Reviewer .................................................................................. xv
Acknowledgments ................................................................................................... xvi
Introduction ............................................................................................................ xvii

■Chapter 1: Writing Your First Java Program ........................................................... 1

Installing the JDK ............................................................................................................... 1
Installing Eclipse ................................................................................................................ 2
Creating Your First Project ................................................................................................. 2
Creating the Program......................................................................................................... 5
Adding More Functionality ........................................................................................................................ 9
Further Development .............................................................................................................................. 11
About Java Objects ................................................................................................................................. 12
Summary ......................................................................................................................... 12
■Chapter 2: Java Syntax.......................................................................................... 15
An Example ...................................................................................................................... 15
Lines ....................................................................................................................................................... 18
Package Declaration............................................................................................................................... 20
Imports ................................................................................................................................................... 21
Classes ................................................................................................................................................... 22
Fields ...................................................................................................................................................... 23

vi
 ■ CONTENTS

Methods .................................................................................................................................................. 24
Constructors ........................................................................................................................................... 26
Access Modifiers .................................................................................................................................... 27
Interfaces................................................................................................................................................ 27
Exceptions .............................................................................................................................................. 28
Blocks ..................................................................................................................................................... 30
Comments .............................................................................................................................................. 31
Summary ......................................................................................................................... 33
■Chapter 3: Data Types ........................................................................................... 35
Primitive Data Types ........................................................................................................ 35
Integer Primitives ................................................................................................................................... 35
Real Primitives........................................................................................................................................ 36
boolean ................................................................................................................................................... 37
char ........................................................................................................................................................ 37
The Special Type: String ......................................................................................................................... 37
Literals .................................................................................................................................................... 38
Wrapper Classes .............................................................................................................. 41
Arrays .............................................................................................................................. 43
The Non-Existent Type: null ............................................................................................. 44
Enumerations................................................................................................................... 45
Summary ......................................................................................................................... 48
■Chapter 4: Operators ............................................................................................. 51
Operator Precedence .............................................................................................................................. 52
The Missing Operator: Parentheses........................................................................................................ 52
Postfix Operators .................................................................................................................................... 53
Unary Operators...................................................................................................................................... 53
Casting.................................................................................................................................................... 55
Multiplicative Operators ......................................................................................................................... 57

vii
■ CONTENTS

Additive Operators .................................................................................................................................. 57

Shift Operators ....................................................................................................................................... 58
Relational Operators ............................................................................................................................... 60
Equality Operators .................................................................................................................................. 62
Bitwise AND Operator (&) ....................................................................................................................... 63
Bitwise Exclusive OR Operator (^) .......................................................................................................... 63
Bitwise Inclusive OR Operator (|) ............................................................................................................ 64
Logical AND Operator (&&) ..................................................................................................................... 64
Logical OR Operator (||) ........................................................................................................................... 65
Assignment Operators ............................................................................................................................ 66
Comparing and Sorting Objects ....................................................................................... 67
Implementing the equals Method ......................................................................................................... 68
Comparisons for Sorting ......................................................................................................................... 70
Summary ......................................................................................................................... 75
■Chapter 5: Control Flow, Looping, and Branching ................................................. 77
Control Flow..................................................................................................................... 77
if and if-else Statements ........................................................................................................................ 77
switch Statements .................................................................................................................................. 79
Looping ............................................................................................................................ 82
For Loops ................................................................................................................................................ 82
While loops ............................................................................................................................................. 85
Do-while Loops ....................................................................................................................................... 87
Branching ........................................................................................................................ 88
The break Statement .............................................................................................................................. 88
The continue Statement ......................................................................................................................... 89
The return Statement ............................................................................................................................. 91
Summary ......................................................................................................................... 93

viii
 ■ CONTENTS

■Chapter 6: Object-oriented Programming ............................................................. 95

Objects ............................................................................................................................. 95
Encapsulation .................................................................................................................. 96
Inheritance ....................................................................................................................... 96
Multiple Inheritance ................................................................................................................................ 97
Modeling Behavior through Interfaces ................................................................................................... 98
Abstract Classes ..................................................................................................................................... 98
Static Members .................................................................................................................................... 100
Polymorphism ................................................................................................................ 101
Our Animals in Java ....................................................................................................... 102
A Lesson about Granularity ............................................................................................ 106
Pass-by-Reference and Pass-by-Value ......................................................................... 107
Summary ....................................................................................................................... 109
■Chapter 7: Writing a User Interface ..................................................................... 111
Java Swing: The Basics ................................................................................................. 111
A Basic Swing Application .................................................................................................................... 112
A Larger Swing Application ........................................................................................... 119
Summary ....................................................................................................................... 149
■Chapter 8: Writing and Reading Files .................................................................. 151
Working with File Objects .............................................................................................. 151
Opening a File ....................................................................................................................................... 153
Deleting a File ....................................................................................................................................... 154
Working with Temporary Files .............................................................................................................. 155
Creating a Directory .............................................................................................................................. 157
Deleting a Directory .............................................................................................................................. 159
Deleting Multiple Directories ................................................................................................................ 160

ix
■ CONTENTS

Writing and Reading Content ......................................................................................... 161

Merrily Down the Stream...................................................................................................................... 161
Reading a File's Content ....................................................................................................................... 162
Writing a File's Content ........................................................................................................................ 163
Summary ....................................................................................................................... 167
■Chapter 9: Writing and Reading XML ................................................................... 169
The Structure of XML ..................................................................................................... 169
XML and Streams .......................................................................................................... 172
DOM and SAX ................................................................................................................. 173
Writing XML ................................................................................................................... 173
Writing XML with DOM.......................................................................................................................... 174
Writing XML with Strings ...................................................................................................................... 178
Reading XML .................................................................................................................. 179
Reading XML with DOM ........................................................................................................................ 179
Reading XML with SAX ......................................................................................................................... 181
A Word about Factory Classes ....................................................................................... 184
Summary ....................................................................................................................... 184
■Chapter 10: Animation ......................................................................................... 185
Timing Is Everything ...................................................................................................... 185
Animation: A Simple Example ........................................................................................ 186
Animating Multiple Items ............................................................................................... 190
Sprite Animation ............................................................................................................ 196
Summary ....................................................................................................................... 202
■Chapter 11: Debugging with Eclipse.................................................................... 205
The Flow of Debugging .................................................................................................. 206
Debugging without a Debugger ..................................................................................... 207
Starting the Eclipse Debugger ....................................................................................... 207

x
 ■ CONTENTS

Breakpoints and Variables ............................................................................................. 208

Setting a Line Breakpoint ..................................................................................................................... 209
About Scope ......................................................................................................................................... 210
Removing a Line Breakpoint................................................................................................................. 212
Disabling a Line Breakpoint .................................................................................................................. 212
Making a Conditional Breakpoint.......................................................................................................... 213
Debugging Tips and Tricks ............................................................................................ 215
Fixing the Fireworks Program ....................................................................................... 216
Summary ....................................................................................................................... 218
■Chapter 12: Video Games .................................................................................... 221
The Mechanics of a Video Game.................................................................................... 221
The User Interface ................................................................................................................................ 221
The Game Logic .................................................................................................................................... 222
The Game Loop ..................................................................................................................................... 222
The TargetClick Game.................................................................................................... 222
The Shooting Gallery Game ........................................................................................... 230
Expanding the ShootingGallery Game .................................................................................................. 245
A Note about Limitations ...................................................................................................................... 246
Game Design Resources ................................................................................................ 246
Summary ....................................................................................................................... 247
■Chapter 13: Garbage Collection ........................................................................... 249
Understanding Memory Allocation................................................................................. 249
The Java Garbage Collection Algorithm: Marking and Sweeping ......................................................... 251
Understanding Memory Settings .......................................................................................................... 252
Understanding Garbage Collection ................................................................................ 253
Understanding Generations .................................................................................................................. 254
Scavenges and Full Collections ............................................................................................................ 255

xi
■ CONTENTS

Garbage Collection is Event-Driven ...................................................................................................... 255

Understanding Garbage Collection Settings ......................................................................................... 255
Optimizing Garbage Collection....................................................................................... 257
Collection Hints .............................................................................................................. 258
Blocking Garbage Collection .......................................................................................... 259
A New Garbage Collector ............................................................................................... 260
Summary ....................................................................................................................... 261
■Chapter 14: Recursion ......................................................................................... 263
Recursion is Natural ...................................................................................................... 263
Recursion is Common .................................................................................................... 264
Know Your Stop Condition ............................................................................................. 264
When to Avoid Recursion ............................................................................................... 265
When to Use Recursion .................................................................................................. 266
Calculating the Fibonacci Sequence.............................................................................. 267
Calculating Fractals ....................................................................................................... 268
Drawing a Sierpinski Triangle .............................................................................................................. 268
Drawing a Fractal Tree ......................................................................................................................... 273
Summary ....................................................................................................................... 276
■Chapter 15: Generics and Regular Expressions................................................... 279
Generics ......................................................................................................................... 279
Regular Expressions ...................................................................................................... 283
Summary ....................................................................................................................... 290

Index ....................................................................................................................... 291

xii
Foreword

This book happened because the daughter (hi, Kylie) of a friend (hi, Ross) asked me what I do. As it
happened, I had my laptop with me at the time, so I showed her. Kylie was 15 at the time, so she
promptly lost interest. I was working as a web developer (writing middleware and database code rather
than front-end code), so I explained that Facebook worked in a similar way. That got her attention. It
pays to know one's audience.
That experience gave me the idea of writing a book to get young people started on programming.
Later that year, when Apress asked me to write a book, I managed to talk them into writing one for
beginners.
So, if you want to try writing software, this book is for you. It's by no means an exhaustive
explanation of either topic (how it works and how it's written are really two topics), but it's a start. I hope
it's enough of a start that you can have a new hobby: writing software. If you then learn more, you might
even make a career of it someday. I hope some of the people who read this book end up in the
profession, as we need more sharp minds writing software.
If that happens to be you, welcome to the quirky, frustrating, fascinating, and sometimes lucrative
world of software development.

Jay Bryant

xiii
 About the Author

I started as a poet. I discovered that I had no “spark,” though I was good

enough at the mechanics. So I became a teacher. Having gotten two degrees in
English literature while trying to be a poet, I naturally taught English. Starting
in 1986, I also worked part-time writing software manuals.
As it happened, I had taken all the linguistics courses the university
offered, purely because I enjoy concepts such as transformational grammar
and morphology. When I was looking at code over a developer's shoulder, I
said, “I see structure and syntax here. Tell me how it works.” Phil Schlump was
smart enough to not try to explain how C works while I looked over his
shoulder. Instead, he told me to buy The C Programming Language, by Brian
Kernighan and Dennis Ritchie. I read the book and did all the exercises, with a
little coaching from Phil.
That got me started on my journey toward software development. From there, I read many more
books and learned (and have forgotten some) more languages. When the university let me go in 1991, I
continued on as a technical writer who programmed as a hobby until 1998, when I started writing code
as part of my job. I was annoyed with the documentation tools I had, so I started writing some of my
own. After a few years of doing even more programming to make documentation tools, I gave up writing
as part of my job and became a full-time software developer in late 2004. I worked full-time as a Java and
XSLT developer for three years and then full time as a Java Web Application Developer for three years.
By the end of those experiences, I knew enough to write a book about Java. Writing this book has
taught me some more and helped to formalize the knowledge I already had. As ever, the act of teaching
(and writing this kind of book is an exercise in teaching) also teaches the teacher.
Writing this book also reminded me that I really like writing. So I've taken a job that lets me both
write and code. I'm writing API documentation. That is, I explain how software works to software
developers, so that they can get more done in less time. The job title I like best for this sort of work is
Programming Writer, so that's what I call myself these days.
When I'm not writing software and writing about software, I play games of all sorts (not just
computer games), read fantasy and science fiction, and go out with friends. I live with an orange tabby
cat named Oscar who alternates between feline terrorist and snugglemonster.

Jay Bryant

xiv
About the Technical Reviewer

■Massimo Nardone was born under Mount Vesuvius and holds a Master of
Science Degree in Computing Science from the University of Salerno, Italy. He
currently works as a Senior IT Security, Cloud and Infrastructure Architect, and
is the Finnish Invention Development Team Leader (FIDTL) for IBM Finland.
With more then 16 years of experience in Mobile, Security, and WWW
technology areas for both national and international projects, he has worked as
a Project Manager, Software Engineer, Research Engineer, Chief Security
Architect, and Software Specialist. Massimo is also a visiting lecturer and
supervisor for exercises at the Networking Laboratory of the Helsinki
University of Technology (TKK) for the course "Security of Communication
Protocols".

xv
 Acknowledgments

I couldn't have written this book without some early influences in both writing and programming. So I
have to thank to Dick Holland, Keith Hull, Janet Constantanides, Phil Schlump, and Pat LaFollett for my
education (only three of those were my teachers – Phil and Pat are former co-workers who are natural
mentors). More recently, I have to thank John Sederberg, Terry Dexter, and Daniel Padilla for taking a
chance on a guy whose degrees were not in computer science. Finally, I have to thank Mary Jackson
(good friend and fabulous software developer) for putting me in touch with Steve Anglin at Apress.
Ewan Buckingham and Adam Heath have put up with a lot from me, as I went from working on the
book full-time to writing all day at work and having to write part-time at home, too. That made my
response time slower than anyone liked at times. Also, Ewan and my technical reviewer, Massimo
Nadone, have had a number of good ideas that have made the book better than I could have done on my
own. They are intelligent and conscientious professionals, and I thank them for their efforts.

Jay Bryant

xvi
Introduction

Who This Book Is For

The title says “for Absolute Beginners.” By that, I mean absolute beginners at programming. My original
audience was teenagers whom I hope will go to college, get degrees in Mathematics, Computer Science,
or Electrical Engineering (or perhaps Technical Communication or Graphic Design), and then enter the
software industry. However, I quickly realized that adults might also wish to learn to program, as part of
changing careers, as a hobby, or simply out of curiosity. As a result, I've written the book for anyone who
wants to learn to program but doesn't have any programming knowledge, regardless of other
characteristics such as age or future career paths.

How This Book Is Structured

The first chapter gets you started by showing you how to install a development environment and by
getting you through writing your first program. The next few chapters cover the basics of how Java
works, including operators, data types, branching and looping, and how object-oriented languages
define and solve problems. The middle chapters detail some of the “bread and butter” tasks that
software developers must continually do, such as working with files and their contents and creating a
user interface for a program. Once the book gets through all that, it turns to some topics that are more
fun (I think), such as creating animations and video games. The book closes with a chapter that briefly
introduces two topics that, although somewhat advanced, may let you do good things in your own
programs once you finish the book.
All through the book, I include code samples that you can type into your development environment
and run. You can also get the code from the Apress web site. I've also included lessons from my 25 years
(twenty of them full-time) in software development. I hope those real-world experiences make the highly
abstract field of software development more concrete for you. It pays to remember that, although the
field is by nature theoretical, the problems we want to solve mostly exist in the real world.

Conventions
This book uses a number of formatting conventions that should make it easier to read. Formatting can't
substitute for poor writing or poor coding, but it can help to make either more clear. To that end, the
book incorporates the following conventions:
Code within other text, usually within a paragraph, appears as follows: java.lang.System
Code listings appear as follows:

xvii
■ INTRODUCTION

Listing Intro-1. Sample Code Block

public static void main(String[] args) {

System.out.println("Hello, World!");
}

Within procedures, interface items (such as buttons and menu choices) that you should use appear
as bold text in sentences, as follows: “From the File menu, choose New.” The names of objects that
appear within the file system (such as files and directories) appear in a monospace font, as follows:
C:\temp
I should also mention that I've intentionally used an informal (almost “folksy”) style and tone. When
I'm sharing my experiences, I use the first-person singular (“I”). When I hope you're doing the same
thing I did when I wrote the book (usually writing code or thinking about a problem in a particular way),
I use the first-person plural (“We”). When I want you to do something, I use the second-person (“You”).
Also, I've made liberal use of contractions, such as “I've.” I hope you'll find the book to be more
engaging for being informal in its presentation.

Prerequisites
Before reading this book, you need to know your way around at least one operating system, such as
Windows or Mac OS X. In particular, you need to know how to create and delete files on your computer.
If you've looked into how “command” or “batch” files work on your computer, that would be even
better, as that is a kind of light-weight programming.
You don't need any other prerequisites to read this book. You don't need to know math or logic or
computer science. The book covers bits and pieces of all those subjects at times, but in a pragmatic way
that doesn't rely on the reader having any existing knowledge.
All you really need is a desire to learn to program.

xviii
CHAPTER 1

Writing Your First Java Program

To write a program in Java, you need the Java Development Kit (JDK). Strictly speaking, the JDK is all you
need; however, other tools can make writing a Java application easier. Most software developers like to
use an Integrated Development Environment (IDE). One of the most popular IDEs is Eclipse.
Fortunately, both the JDK and Eclipse are free downloads. This chapter describes how to download and
install both products and how to set up your first Java project in Eclipse. By the end of this chapter, you
will have typed in and run your first Java program.

Installing the JDK

JDK is a collection of programs that enables you to write programs in Java. The two programs you'll use
most are javac.exe and java.exe. The javac.exe program is the compiler, which means it's the program
that turns code you can read (the code you write in Java) into code your computer can read (the
collection of 0s and 1s that a computer needs when it runs a program). The java.exe program runs the
programs that you write. After javac.exe compiles them, java.exe starts them and manages all the things
a program needs (a connection to the operating system, handles for files, and a lot of other things).
Because you’ll use Eclipse (which we discuss shortly), you don't need to run javac.exe and java.exe.
Eclipse does that for you. But it's handy to know what they do, so that you can run programs directly
from a command window when you want to do so.
Before you can install it, you have to download it, of course. To get the latest version of the JDK,
follow these steps:
1. Open http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/
index.html in a web browser.
2. Click the Download JDK button.
3. Follow the instructions provided by the web site.
4. Run the installer and accept any defaults.

1
J. Bryant, Java 7 for Absolute Beginners
© Jay Bryant 2012
CHAPTER 1 ■ WRITING YOUR FIRST JAVA PROGRAM

■ Note If you don't have administrator rights on your computer, clear (that is, uncheck) the checkbox that lets
you install the program for all users. This enables you to still install the JDK.I would provide more details, but the
web site changes from time to time, so more detailed instructions would probably be wrong (and confusing and
irritating).

You can put the JDK anywhere you'd put any other program. The default location works just fine.

Installing Eclipse
Eclipse is an IDE. Basically, it provides a convenient tool for writing and testing your programs. Among
other things, it identifies your errors as you make them, which makes correcting them much easier and
faster than writing code in a text file and compiling it from the command line. Eclipse also colors parts of
your code. After you get used to the color scheme (which happens very quickly), you'll be able to write
code more quickly.
Again, before you can install Eclipse, you have to download it. To do so, follow these steps:
1. Open http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/ in a web browser.
2. Find the Eclipse IDE for Java Developers choice and select the 32-bit version.

■ Note If you have a 64-bit operating system, choose the 32-bit version of Eclipse anyway. At the time of this
writing, the 64-bit version of Eclipse has issues that make Java development more difficult than it needs to be.

3. Follow the instructions provided by the web site.

4. Run the installer and accept any defaults.
Again, I would try to provide more detail, but the web site changes from time to time, so more
detailed instructions would probably be wrong (and so confusing and irritating).
You can put Eclipse anywhere you'd put any other program. Again, the default location works
just fine.

Creating Your First Project

When you use Eclipse, you have to create a separate project for each program. That way, Eclipse can
keep the details of one program separate from another. Each project consists of the source code files you
write for your program and, potentially, a number of other resources that you might attach to a program.
For example, you might include images and files that contain settings to load at run time and many
other possible items.

2
 CHAPTER 1 ■ WRITING YOUR FIRST JAVA PROGRAM

After you've started Eclipse, you can make a new project as follows:
1. From the File menu, select N ew, and then select Project. The New Project
window appears, as shown in Figure 1-1.

Figure 1-1. Eclipse's New Project window.

2. In the New Project window, double-click Java Project. The New Java Project
window appears, as shown in Figure 1-2.

3
CHAPTER 1 ■ WRITING YOUR FIRST JAVA PROGRAM

Figure 1-2. Eclipse's New Java Project window.

4
 CHAPTER 1 ■ WRITING YOUR FIRST JAVA PROGRAM

3. Type Hello in the Project name field.

■ Note Be careful to pick meaningful names. I've chosen Hello for this example because the first program
we're going to write is one that says Hello. One common mistake for new software developers is to choose
names such as Project1 and Project2. It probably won't be long before you can't remember the details of any of
them. Instead, if you're writing a minesweeper game, call your project Minesweeper. Then, when you're also
working on an instant messaging program, you can distinguish Minesweeper from InstantMessenger much more
readily than you can distinguish Project1 from Project2.

4. Click OK. You can change a number of other options here. However, for our
purposes, the default settings work just fine. You should now have a window
that looks something like the one in Figure 1-3.

Figure 1-3. The main area of the Eclipse IDE.

Creating the Program

Every Java program has one class that is the program's starting point .(often called an entry point). A
class is a bit of code that groups other bits of code together in a particular way. We'll get to classes in the
next chapter. The thing that makes that class special is the existence of the main method. A method is a
bit of code that does one particular thing – in this case, it starts the program. We'll cover methods in the
next chapter, too. The main method accepts inputs and starts the program. Ever Java program has one
and only one main method.

5
CHAPTER 1 ■ WRITING YOUR FIRST JAVA PROGRAM

■ Note That said, some code bases actually have a number of main methods. They exist so that classes can be
tested individually. Strictly speaking, each one starts a separate Java program, even though the people working on
them might think of them as just parts of the larger program. For our purposes, just remember that a Java
program must have a main method.

The class that contains the main method .determines the name of the program. The name of the
program is the name of that class. For example, the program we write later in this chapter is called Hello
because the class that holds its main method is named Hello. (Of course, the marketing department can
call it anything, but it's the Hello program to Java and Java developers.) This naming arrangement
happens because of the way Java programs are started: The Java runtime engine requires the name of a
class that contains a main method.

■ Note The file that holds a Java class must have exactly the same name as the Java class. For example, the
Hello class must be stored in a file named Hello.java. If the file were named hello.java, it wouldn't work. A
lowercase h is not an uppercase H, and the Java compiler won’t recognize that hello.java contains the Hello
class.

To create a class with a main method for your first program, follow these steps:
1. Right-click the Hello project in the Eclipse Package Explorer, choose New,
and then choose Class. The New Java Class window displays, as shown in
Figure 1-4.

6
Exploring the Variety of Random
Documents with Different Content
 “‘Lord love your soul, boss, I iz no Christian nigger—I iz a stray sheep
from de congregation!’
“‘Have you any other name besides Ebenezer?’
“‘Ah, you bet I has, boss—lots on ’em!’
“‘What are they?’
“‘Solomon, Absalom, Lazarus, Ebenezer, sah—dey calls me Laz for
short.’
“‘Have you ever formed or expressed any opinion as to the guilt or
innocence of the prisoner at the bar?’
“‘Lord love your soul, boss, I never goes in a bar, I iz a temperance
nigger; I iz an honorable member of de Murphy ‘stution!’
“‘You do not understand my question: have you formed or expressed any
opinion as to the guilt or innocence of Miss Viola Bramlett?’
“‘How could a nigger ‘spress hisself about a lady ’cept he knowed her? I
nebber seed dat ar gal afore in my born days!’
“‘Then you have never formed or expressed any opinion about her guilt
or innocence?’
“‘Nebber ’spressed myself about white folks, nebber ‘sociates wid white
people—dis nigger ’fesses to be a ge’man!’
“‘I think this is a competent juror, if the court please.’
“‘What say you for the defense?’
“Another careless wave of Mr. Rockland’s hand, and the juror was
ordered by the court to take his seat in the box.
“It was very clear to my mind that Mr. Rockland was perfectly
indifferent as to the material being collected on the jury, and it was also
evident that he regarded the entire proceeding as a mere matter of form to
be passed over in order to reach the inevitable verdict of guilty against the
defendant.
“Out of a venire of three hundred men, they succeeded in securing a jury
of brainless idiots, and if any man had been bound by contract to furnish a
dozen fit subjects for a first-class lunatic asylum, he could have used that
jury as a legal tender for the debt.
“While Mr. Quillet was reading the bill of indictment, Viola fixed her
beautiful eyes on him, and listened attentively, and I could see the regular
rise and fall of her bosom, while her breathing was as calm and gentle as
that of a slumbering infant; not a muscle of her face moved, nor did any
evidence of fear or excitement manifest itself on her features. Lottie’s hands
trembled slightly as she pulled the leaves from a rose, and let them fall at
her feet; no other signs of emotion appeared.
“The spectators and lawyers were listening in breathless silence, anxious
to hear what sort of a plea the defendant was going to put in. Absolute quiet
reigned throughout the spacious room, only broken by the solemn tones of
Mr. Quillet’s deep bass voice, as he read the awful charge of willful and
malicious murder against the beautiful prisoner. When he came to the last
word in the bill he turned from the jury, and fixing his keen black eyes on
Viola’s face, paused for a moment, as the prisoner rose to her feet and
looked firmly into the face of the attorney-general. It was not a bold,
brazen-faced, defiant stare, but it was such a calm, dignified, charming look
as I suppose the angels in Heaven are wont to cast on each other.
“‘Miss Viola Bramlett,’ said Quillet, as he bent forward, ‘are you guilty
or not guilty?’
“‘Not guilty!’ was answered in a firm but sweet tone.
“Then commenced a tremendous scramble among the spectators seeking
to secure eligible seats, so as to hear the evidence. Flipout began to put the
pressure on his nose, while the dark frown re-appeared on his brow.
“‘Mr. Sheriff,’ exclaimed the court, ‘if you do not instantly put an end to
this confusion the court will impose a heavy fine on you; order those people
to sit down, and station a deputy at each end of the aisle with instructions to
keep it clear, and report the names of persons who disturb the business of
the court. Have your witnesses called, Mr. Quillet, and proceed with the
case.’
“As the vast crowd of witnesses began to move to the front, I was
reminded of Byron’s ‘Vision of Judgment,’ wherein he gives such a sublime
history of the trial of George III. When Saint Peter called on Satan for his
witnesses, the King of darkness waved his hand down toward hell, when up
rose a black cloud of lost souls, almost as numerous as the legions of
locusts that infested the shores of Egypt. Now I do not by any means intend
to assert that the crowd of witnesses who came forward to testify against
Viola Bramlett were as numerous as the countless throng that come up to
offer evidence against England’s dead king, but I merely give it as my
candid opinion that his Satanic Majesty would have scorned the idea of
introducing into a decent court such a motley crowd of witnesses as those
who appeared to swear against Miss Bramlett. I do not apply these remarks
to all of them, however, for Doctors Dodson and Plaxico were of the
number. I was horrified to see Mrs. Ragland step forward and array herself
on the side of the State. Could it be possible that Viola’s own aunt was to be
a witness for the State? I looked at Lottie to see if any evidences of alarm
appeared in her face, but nothing of the sort was perceptible—all seemed
calm as an unruffled lake, while the corners of her mouth were closely
drawn down. Zip Dabbs appeared at the head of the long column of
witnesses, and if he had held the sun in one pocket, the moon in the other,
the world on his shoulder, with the final destiny of the entire human race in
the palm of his hand, he could not have put on a more self-important air
than he did on that occasion. Tadpoddle appeared with his little eye on duty,
while he was making an ineffectual effort to imitate his illustrious leader.
Miss Jemima Tadpoddle, with her tall, gaunt form looming high above
ordinary women, moved deliberately toward the clerk’s desk, and kissed the
Bible with a smack as the oath was administered by the clerk. Miss
Clattermouth stood by the side of her tall friend, looking like a Lilliputian
by the side of Gulliver, with her little mouth handsomely puckered as if she
were afraid that the important facts known to her would escape before she
got a chance to tell them to the jury.
“As soon as the clerk completed the task of swearing the vast number of
State witnesses, the court ordered the defense to call and swear theirs.
“‘If your Honor please,’ growled Mr. Rockland, as he deliberately rose
up from his seat, ‘I believe we have no witnesses on the part of the
defense.’
“‘Yes, we have, papa,’ said Lottie, in a whisper, as she plucked at Mr.
Rockland’s sleeve, ‘we have some witnesses, but we do not wish to have
them sworn just now.’
“Then the iron lawyer stated to the court that he had just learned the fact
that the defense would probably have one or two witnesses, and asked
permission to have them sworn at a later period, which was readily granted.
“‘We shall ask your Honor,’ continued Mr. Rockland, ‘to order the
witnesses under the rule.’
 “The court then instructed the sheriff to have all the witnesses conducted
to a comfortable room adjacent to the court-room, and to station a reliable
deputy with them, with orders to keep them together.
“‘Will you insist on the rule being enforced as to Doctors Dodson and
Plaxico?’ inquired Mr. Quillet.
“‘No,’ said Mr. Rockland, ‘we consent that they may remain here.’
“Doctor Plaxico was the first witness who took the stand on the part of
the prosecution.
“‘Doctor Plaxico, you will please face the jury, and then proceed to
relate all the facts and circumstances connected with the death of Harry W.
Bramlett.’
“The doctor coughed two or three times, wiped his brow with his
handkerchief, ran his fingers between his cravat and throat as if the supply
of air in his lungs was about to be exhausted, then, in a voice tremulous
with emotion, he began as follows:
“‘Harry W. Bramlett died on the night of the 10th of February; his death
was caused by poison administered to him by some person to me unknown.
Death was produced by strychnine, large quantities of it being found in the
stomach of the deceased. I am a practicing physician, and have been
actively engaged in that profession for ten years past; could have saved the
boy’s life if I had been called an hour sooner. Assisted at the autopsy, found
considerable quantity of strychnine—more than sufficient to produce
death.’
“‘If you found any strychnine concealed about the premises, please tell
the jury all about it.’
“‘Immediately after the child expired I began to examine the premises
with a view of securing any evidence which would tend to unravel the
strange mystery that appeared to surround the affair; the circumstances
having directed my suspicions to——’
“‘Stop, Doctor Plaxico,’ said Mr. Rockland; ‘don’t say anything about
your suspicions, if you please—just state the facts that are known to you.’
“‘Very well. I found a small phial of strychnine in a bureau drawer that
stood in Miss Bramlett’s sleeping room, which apartment adjoined the one
in which young Bramlett died. The phial was concealed in a little secret
niche on the inside of a large drawer, among a great quantity of fine jewelry,
and upon very careful inspection I noticed that some of the strychnine had
been dipped out of the phial with the blade of a knife, or some other smooth
substance, which had left its imprint plainly to be seen on the surface of that
remaining in the phial. When Doctor Dodson arrived, I gave him a detailed
account of what had occurred, and requested him to grant me a private
interview, which he immediately did. As soon as Doctor Dodson and I were
alone, I proceeded to describe all the symptoms that had presented
themselves in young Bramlett’s case, at the same time informing him that
the child had been poisoned.’
“‘Doctor Plaxico,’ said Quillet, ‘be so good as to describe the conduct of
Miss Bramlett in every particular, from the moment of your arrival until the
time you left the premises.’
“‘When I first arrived at the house, Miss Bramlett appeared to be in the
deepest distress, wringing her hands and weeping bitterly; but when the boy
expired, she ceased to weep and began to stare wildly about the room as if
searching for something, while a strange, inquiring expression was
perceptible on her features. I noticed that she frequently picked up the little
blue papers that lay on the table, and examined each one attentively, then
replacing them, she turned round and gazed at me with a mysterious look,
as if she were waiting for me to say something. She would frequently
glance at the door, as if she were expecting some one to enter, and any noise
seemed to frighten her.’
“‘We now turn the witness over to the defense for cross-examination,’
said Mr. Quillet.
“‘You may stand aside, doctor,’ said the iron lawyer, ‘we will not trouble
you with any questions.’
“‘We will examine Doctor Dodson now, Mr. Sheriff, if you will call him
in,’ said Mr. Quillet.
“‘He is here, sir,’ replied the officer as Doctor Dodson came forward and
went on the stand.
“‘Tell the jury all you know about the death of Harry W. Bramlett,
Doctor Dodson—the cause of his death and all the circumstances
appertaining to it.’
“The old physician was greatly agitated, though making a vigorous effort
to conceal his emotions, but with only partial success. A tear glistened in his
eye, while his hands trembled, and his breathing was short and labored.
 “‘I am a practicing physician; was called to see young Bramlett a few
days before his death; ah, ha! and found him suffering with ordinary chills
and fever, don’t you see? ah, ha! Well, you see it was on the afternoon of
February 10 that I prescribed quinine; making up five doses, I put them in
blue papers and directed Miss Bramlett to administer one dose every two
hours, commencing at four o’clock p. m., ah, ha! don’t you see? I was again
called to visit the patient late at night, and when I arrived was horrified to
find the child dead, ah, ha! Plaxico then requested me to grant him a private
interview, and when we were alone he informed me that the deceased had
been poisoned with strychnine; then I was greatly frightened, thinking it
possible that I might have made a terrible mistake, don’t you see? I instantly
went and examined the phial from which I had taken the medicine, which
was left on the mantel, and found it was pure, unadulterated quinine, don’t
you see? I then carefully inspected the contents of the blue papers on the
table, and found two of them containing quinine, just as I had prepared
them, while the other three were empty. I felt greatly relieved, because I
was convinced that I had made no mistake, don’t you see how it is yourself,
ah ha? Miss Bramlett said she had administered the medicine exactly
according to my directions, commencing promptly at four, and when she
gave the third dose at eight her brother soon thereafter became seriously ill.
I assisted at the post-mortem examination, and found a large quantity of
strychnine in the stomach, enough to produce death; am satisfied that
deceased died from poison.’
“‘What was the nature of Miss Bramlett’s conduct while you remained in
the room?’
“‘The poor child appeared to be paralyzed, stunned, as you may say,
with grief; the fact is, she seemed to be perfectly crazed by the sudden
death, ah ha! yes, don’t you see? She had a frightful, wild appearance
difficult to describe!’
“‘Did you question Miss Bramlett about the phial of strychnine that
Doctor Plaxico found in her bureau drawer?’
“‘Yes, I asked her for what purpose she had purchased the phial of
strychnine? She hesitated a moment, and appeared to be greatly confused
by the question; then she said that she would rather not tell, and I did not
urge her any further. I asked her if any other person had been in the room
after I had left the quinine and before her brother suddenly grew worse. She
said that no one had entered the room, so far as she knew.’
“‘Did you examine the phial of strychnine? if so, how much had been
taken out of it?’
“‘A small quantity had been dipped out with the blade of a knife, or
some other smooth instrument, which had left its imprint on that which
remained. The phial had the usual label on it, with the word “poison” in
large printed letters, and a picture of a skull and crossbones just below.’
“Doctor Dodson was permitted to stand aside, Mr. Rockland declining to
cross-examine him.
 CHAPTER XXXIV.
“The famous Philadelphia detective was then placed on the stand.
“‘Mr. Dabbs,’ said Quillet, ‘will you please face the jury and tell all you
know about the facts and circumstances connected with the death of Harry
W. Bramlett.’
“The renowned detective then unbuttoned his vest, leaned back in his
seat, and thrusting his thumbs through the arm-holes, surveying the crowd
for a moment, began as follows:
“‘I have for the last ten years practiced my profession in the city of
Philadelphia, and was employed by Doctor Demar to work up the Bramlett
case. I had been led to believe that the case was going to be a difficult one
to manage, and that impenetrable mysteries and dangerous plots would have
to be encountered and mastered before a correct conclusion could be
reached; but I do not hesitate to say that during all my successful career as a
detective officer, I never have met with a case of murder by poison in which
it was so easy to spot the perpetrator as it has proved in this one.’
“‘We do not want to hear your opinion as to the sufficiency of your
evidence, Mr. Dabbs,’ growled Mr. Rockland. ‘Tell what you know about
the case, and let the jury weigh the proof.’
“‘That is exactly what I was coming to when you interrupted me. While
searching the premises we succeeded in making many wonderful
discoveries, all tending to fix the guilt on Miss——’
“‘Stop, sir!’ exclaimed Mr. Rockland, as anger flashed from his eyes. ‘If
your Honor please, we do most earnestly protest against this manner of
proceeding!’
“‘Tell what you know about the case, sir, and let us have none of your
opinions as to where it fixes the guilt.’
“‘Very well, your Honor,’ said Dabbs, ‘I was just going to do that.’
“‘Proceed with your evidence,’ said Quillet.
“‘Well, as I was telling you a moment ago, we made some startling
discoveries while going through the premises where the murder was
committed. In a large wardrobe that stood in Miss Bramlett’s bedroom we
found a blue silk dress, which proved to be the property of that person, and
in the left-hand pocket we discovered a dose of strychnine wrapped in a
blue paper, exactly similar in all respects to those containing the quinine
that had been prepared and left by Doctor Dodson. During our very
satisfactory search, we discovered a small quantity (say one dose) of
quinine under the grate, and upon chemical test we found that one of the
blue papers that had been left by the doctor contained traces of quinine and
strychnine both; the quinine was next to the surface of the paper, and the
strychnine on top of the quinine, showing clearly that the quinine had been
emptied out of the paper and the poison put in its stead. In the right-hand
pocket of Miss Bramlett’s blue silk dress we found a letter of a most
mysterious character, addressed to her by a man whom we have been
shadowing all this time—an accomplice, as we have good reason to think,
though the evidence against him is not sufficient to warrant us in
demanding his arrest. As soon as I got possession of the letter and the
strychnine, I began to make my arrangements to take Miss Bramlett by
surprise, hoping thereby to precipitate her into a confession. I entered her
room in the jail disguised as a bill collector, being aided, of course, by the
jailer, who had orders to assist me, I began to approach the subject which
had caused my visit. After beating round for some time, I threw off my
disguise, and confronted her as the officer of the law, intending by my
sudden change to surprise her, so she would not have time to invent a lie.
“‘“Miss Bramlett,” said I, as I threw off my disguise, “you are caught at
last, and the best thing for you to do is to confess and plead for pardon.”
“‘I showed her the letter, and the strychnine that I had found in her dress
pocket, at the same time demanding an explanation. Then, sir, commenced
some of the most splendid acting that I ever witnessed in all my life. I have
seen Charlotte Cushman in “Guy Mannering;” I have seen Julia Deen,
Charlotte Thompson, Eliza Logan, and all of our favorite actresses on the
stage, but never has it been my good fortune to witness such splendid acting
as that performed by Miss Bramlett on that occasion. I am willing to state
on my oath that she seemed to grow at least ten inches taller when I showed
her that letter, and although I could not swear that real fire flashed from her
pretty eyes, yet something of a strange light blazed from them that I
considered a first-class imitation of living fire. The manner in which she
pointed to the door, and the peculiar tone of voice she employed as she bid
me go through it, were indescribably grand, such as if acted on the stage
would create quite a sensation. The language used was of an emphatic
nature, and the pose so sublime that it caused me to forget my position as an
officer, and implanted in my mind a desire to be somewhere else. If,
however, I did for a moment forget my position as an officer, I did not lose
my self-respect as a gentleman; consequently, I at once made my way
through the door at which she was pointing, extremely disgusted with my
interview. The very impressive manner in which that young woman invited
me out of her room had the effect, I confess, to produce a temporary
confusion, causing me to withdraw rather hurriedly, and I did not discover
the fact that I had left the letter in her possession until I was out of her
presence. As soon as I could I returned to her room and requested her to
deliver the important document to me; but, sir, you may imagine my
astonishment, if you can, when she pointed down at her left heel, which was
on the letter, grinding it against the floor. Yes, sir, she was, I will not say
dancing a jig on the letter, but she was making a first-class imitation of that
sort of sport. If you will take the trouble, Mr. Quillet, to examine this letter,
sir, you will see the print of her boot-heel on it; the words “Dear V.” you
will observe have been almost obliterated by the print of her heel; but I can
prove by Doctor Demar that “Dear V.” was plainly written at the top of that
paper.’
“Mr. Quillet now took the letter from Dabbs and read it to the jury.
“‘She is guilty beyond all doubt,’ whispered Hogjaw to Quillet. ‘Oh! it is
horrible to think that such a beautiful creature could be so cruel! it will
make me suspect everybody!’
“‘Mr. Dabbs, do you know the handwriting of that letter?’
“‘Being on my oath, and therefore bound to tell the truth, I regret to say
that I do not, but I have a very strong suspicion.’
“‘We care nothing about your suspicions,’ said Mr. Rockland; ‘be so
good as to confine your statements to what you know.’
“‘Very well, that is exactly what I meant to do, consequently, I say I do
not know who wrote that letter. The handwriting has evidently been
disguised, and the man I suspect is a shrewd rascal, who understands the art
of deception and concealment of evidence. We found rather a singular
contrivance at the back part of Mr. Ragland’s vegetable garden—it would
perhaps be a misnomer to call it a gate, but nevertheless, it had evidently
served the purpose of one. We could see where persons had often passed
through—the soft earth on the inside bore plainly the imprint of shoe tracks,
one a number eight, the other a number three lady’s shoe.’
“‘What size shoe does Miss Bramlett wear?’
“‘She wears a number three—I procured one of her shoes, and compared
it with the track, and found that the fit was perfect! and I do not hesitate to
swear that the track was made by the prisoner.’
“I cast a glance at Lottie, being curious to know what effect this startling
evidence would have on her; but no signs of emotion were visible on her
features. She sat with her pretty eyes fixed on Mr. Dabbs, as if endeavoring
to read his thoughts, while the corners of her mouth were both drawn down,
and her lips firmly pressed together.
“Mr. Dabbs was kept on the stand for more than an hour, and when he
was ordered to stand aside every vestige of hope had fled from my bosom.
The proof of Miss Bramlett’s guilt appeared to me to be insurmountable and
overwhelming.
“Mr. Tadpoddle was then put on the stand, and I noticed that he had the
little eye on duty, while the large one calmly reposed in its hole. A roar of
laughter greeted the arrival of that singular specimen of deformed humanity.
Mr. Tadpoddle’s evidence was nothing more nor less than a confirmation of
that given by Dabbs; but it was all that the court and Mr. Rockland could do
to prevent him from telling what his remarkable sister knew about the case.
“‘Call in your next witness,’ exclaimed Flipout impatiently, as Tadpoddle
left the stand.
“‘Bring Miss Tadpoddle now, Mr. Sheriff,’ said Quillet as he turned
round and addressed the officer.
“The eyes of two hundred men were riveted on the tall, straight form of
the witness as she moved proudly down the aisle; a scornful curl on her
thin, bloodless lips, and a haughty bend of her long, stringy neck, as she
flashed a glance of defiance at the spectators, told plainly what contempt
she felt for all of the human race, and that part of it in particular. Her
costume was of the flashy style, the dress being crimson silk; with as much
of the material in her train as had been used in the remainder of the
garment; and as to cheap lace, and pinchbeck jewelry, she looked as if she
had just been in a storm, where such articles had rained down on her from
the clouds. She had as much paint on her face as a Comanche chief would
have used in three months while on the war-path. Her hat contained all the
colors of the rainbow, with the star-spangled banner thrown in, while three
tall plumes of different colors waved high above her head, like those that I
had seen on the hat of an old-fashioned militia captain at a regiment muster.
“‘Take a seat, Miss Tadpoddle,’ said Quillet as he pointed toward the
chair, ‘and tell us all you know about the case now on trial.’
“‘La bless your soul, sir, if I were to tell everything I know about this
case it would take me a week! Now I never exaggerate or get excited; I am
different from other young girls—I despise exaggeration! You know there
are a great many people who would not tell a lie under any circumstances,
yet they have a despicable habit of exaggerating everything. Very well, I am
not that sort of a girl—I always confine myself closely to the truth without
exaggeration. There is my particular friend, Miss Clattermouth, Heaven
bless her dear little soul! She is the sweetest creature in the world, though
she has fallen into the detestable habit of exaggerating. You know her I
presume, Mr. Quillet? Yes, I have heard her speak about you very often; the
fact is, she is a stanch friend of yours, and so am I; but let that pass.’
“‘Please tell us what you know about the Bramlett murder?’
“‘Ah! yes, I beg your pardon, Mr. Quillet, that was the very thing I was
doing when you interrupted me. Well, you see my sweet little friend
Clattermouth came to see me one day—and, by the by, she visits me very
often—and we were correcting the proof-sheets of her forthcoming lecture,
which she was going to deliver at the next meeting of our Tramp Reform
Association; the subject of the Bramlett murder came up, and Miss
Clattermouth was thinking that it might be a good idea to mention the case
in her lecture, when I said, says I:
“‘“Jerusha——”’
“‘Stop a moment, Miss Tadpoddle,’ said the judge as he began to rub
both sides of his nose with great vigor. ‘Mr. Quillet,’ he continued, ‘you will
have to propound direct questions to this witness—we cannot have the time
wasted in listening to this rigmarole. Direct the mind of the witness to the
facts you expect to prove by her, and put a stop to this nonsense.’
“‘Miss Tadpoddle,’ said Quillet, as he moved closer to her, ‘if you ever
heard a conversation carried on between Miss Bramlett and Benjamin
Bowles, in which strychnine was mentioned, please tell all you heard.’
“‘La bless your soul, that is the very thing I was telling when the judge
interrupted me! Yes, indeed, I did hear them talking about murder, poison
and many other awful things—that is, I heard Miss Bramlett talking about
them, but Mr. Bowles was a mere listener. I inferred from what I saw and
heard that Mr. Bowles was greatly annoyed by her strange questions about
the effect of strychnine as a poison; the fact is, I think he is a perfect
gentleman—a little wild, I admit, but withal a man of honor; he has made
many liberal donations to our Tramp Reform Association, and my friend
Miss Clattermouth says that he promised to——’
“‘Miss Tadpoddle,’ exclaimed the judge, ‘can you not tell what you
know about this case without giving a history of all creation?’
“‘La, bless your soul, yes!’
“‘Well, go on and do it then!’
“‘That is exactly what I was doing when you interrupted me. I was
telling what my friend Miss Clattermouth said about Mr. Bowles.’
“‘Tell us what you know about Miss Bramlett’s connection with her
brother’s death, and let Mr. Bowles and Miss Clattermouth alone.’
“‘Miss Tadpoddle,’ said Quillet, ‘if you will just answer my questions, I
dare say we shall get along much better. What did Miss Bramlett say to Mr.
Bowles about strychnine?’
“‘She asked him how much strychnine it would require to produce death,
and if a doctor could tell when it had been caused by that sort of poison; I
heard her say it with my own ears, and I would swear it on a stack of Bibles
as high as this court-house; and I never exaggerate either—I despise people
who do exaggerate! I told my friend Miss Clattermouth about it; I said, says
I:
“‘“Jerusha,” says I——’
“‘Stop, Miss Tadpoddle, don’t tell what you said, but let us hear what
Miss Bramlett said.’
“‘That is the very thing I have just told you; but if it will do you any
good, I can tell it again.’
“‘When was it you heard the conversation which you have just
mentioned?’
“‘About one week before she poisoned her poor little brother.’
“‘Where did it occur?’
“‘In the alley just in the rear of Mr. Bowles’ apartments.’
 “‘How did you happen to see Miss Bramlett and Bowles on that
occasion?’
“‘Well, if you must know, I was playing the rôle of detective; I had my
suspicions aroused by a little circumstance that transpired previous to that
time, and I resolved to unravel the little mystery—in other words, I made up
my mind to get even with Miss Bramlett, for she insulted me when I asked
her to join our Tramp Reform Association, and I determined to have my
revenge. I told my friend Miss Clattermouth all about it, as soon as we met,
and we then began to arrange our plans to expose that hussy. I told my dear
friend, says I:
“‘“Jerusha,” says I——’
“‘Never mind what you told your friend—confine your statements to
what you heard Miss Bramlett say.’
“‘That is the very thing I was doing when you interrupted me.’
“‘If you ever saw Miss Bramlett go from Mr. Ragland’s residence to the
apartments of Mr. Bowles, tell all about it.’
“‘La, bless your soul, I was telling that very thing when you interrupted
me; yes, I should say I did see her go to the apartments of Mr. Bowles! The
night was quite dark, and the lamp-lights were very dim, but I was close
enough to see her go through the slip-gap at the back of the garden. I was
determined to stick to her until I could find out what she was up to. I never
give up when I undertake anything—I despise people who always give up
when they encounter difficulties! I followed her to Bowles’ quarters, and it
was after she came out of his apartments that I heard her asking about the
strychnine.’
“‘If your Honor please,’ said Mr. Rockland, ‘I cannot imagine what
object my friend has in view by the introduction of this rigmarole. It would
seem that the attorney for the State had lost sight of the charges contained in
his bill of indictment, and was seeking merely to destroy the young lady’s
character.’
“‘Let them go ahead, papa,’ said Lottie, ‘don’t stop them—that is the
very thing we want them to prove.’
“‘Pshaw! child, you don’t know what you are talking about!’ growled the
iron lawyer.
 “‘Yes I do, papa, let them walk into the trap—I’ll spring the trigger
directly.’
“‘If the court please,’ said Mr. Quillet, ‘we think the evidence is
competent in all respects. We have proved by this witness that the defendant
was planning the murder a week before it was perpetrated.’
“‘We withdraw the objections,’ said Mr. Rockland, ‘you may go on with
the evidence.’
“‘We are through with the witness,’ observed Mr. Quillet, ‘and she may
retire, unless you wish to cross-examine her.’
“‘Stand aside,’ growled Mr. Rockland, as he waved his hand slowly.
“‘No, no, papa,’ said Lottie, ‘don’t let her go yet—I have some questions
to ask her.’
“‘Hold on a moment, if you please, Miss Tadpoddle,’ exclaimed Mr.
Rockland; ‘if your Honor will permit Miss Wallingford to ask the witness a
few questions, we will esteem it a favor. She has been with the defendant
most of the time, and is very familiar with the points of the case.’
“‘Certainly, certainly!’ said the judge, ‘let Miss Wallingford ask as many
questions as she pleases.’
“A great sensation was caused among the spectators at this new turn of
things, and a scramble for front seat ensued. The crowd swayed back and
forth, while all the lawyers moved close to Lottie, and gazed at her with
open mouths.
“‘Now the fun begins,’ whispered Quillet to Hogjaw.
“‘Miss Tadpoddle,’ said Lottie, in a calm, firm tone, ‘I believe you said
the night you saw Miss Bramlett with Bowles was very dark?’
“‘Yes, of course I did; and I’ll say it again, if it will do you any good.’
“‘Never mind, once will do. How did you know it was Miss Bramlett if
the night was so dark?’
“‘How did I know it was she?’
“‘Yes, how could you know it was Miss Bramlett, when it was so dark
that you could not see her face?’
“‘I never said I saw her face; the fact is, I did not see her face, because
she had it concealed behind a heavy veil.’
“‘Then how did you know it was Miss Bramlett?’
 “‘I knew her by the dress she had on—it was her blue silk and I knew it
as well as I know my own silk, because I helped her alter it one day. It was
too short in the skirt, and I let it out so as to make it the proper length.’
“‘How could you tell it was a blue silk dress when it was so dark?’
“‘I followed her down the street, and when she would pass near a lamp-
post I could see the color of the dress distinctly.’
“‘Then the only reason you have for saying it was Miss Bramlett was
because you knew the blue silk dress?’
“‘No, that is not the only reason, by a long jump, I’ll let you know.’
“‘What other reasons have you besides the dress?’
“‘Didn’t I see her come out of Mr. Ragland’s house, and go to Bowles’
quarters? Didn’t I see her meet him in the garden at another time, when I
was waiting to meet Mrs. Ragland?’
“‘Well, tell us about the first time you saw Bowles and the woman
together in the garden.’
“‘Haven’t I told it? What do you want me to tell it a dozen times for?’
“‘The witness will answer the questions promptly!’ said the judge.
“‘Oh! very well, I can tell it over a thousand times if you want it. I saw
Miss Bramlett meet Bowles in the garden one night, about a week before I
saw her go to his quarters.’
“‘Did she have on the same blue silk dress the first time you saw her
meet Bowles?’
“‘I don’t know—I was not close enough to tell.’
“‘How did you know it was Miss Bramlett, then?’
“‘The servant told me that Mrs. Ragland had gone visiting, and while I
was waiting for her return, I saw a woman meet Bowles in the garden, and
knowing that Mrs. Ragland was not at home, I knew it must be Miss
Bramlett—now you have it.’
“‘Then the only thing that caused you to think it was Miss Bramlett was
the fact that you saw a woman in the garden, and having been informed that
Mrs. Ragland was not at home?’
“‘Yes, I suppose that is the way of it.’
“‘Did you go up to Miss Bramlett’s room to ascertain whether she was
there or not?’
 “‘Why should I go up to her room to look for her, when I saw her in the
garden?’
“‘You did not know it was Miss Bramlett you saw in the garden; it might
have been some one else.’
“‘It might have been somebody else, but it wasn’t.’
“‘How can you swear that it was not somebody else?’
“‘How many times do you want me to tell it?’
“‘Only once.’
“‘Haven’t I told you more than once?’
“‘Answer the question, madame,’ said Flipout, while he rubbed his nose
unusually hard.
“‘What was the question?’ inquired Miss Tadpoddle as she looked
daggers at Lottie.
“‘I asked you how you could swear it was not somebody else you saw in
the garden.’
“‘I never said I could swear it was not somebody else.’
“‘Very well; then can you swear that it was Miss Bramlett?’
“‘You can’t make me swear a lie if you work on me till Gabriel comes
with his trumpet!’
“‘I do not want you to swear falsely; I would much rather hear you
swear the truth.’
“‘That is precisely what I mean to do; I never exaggerate; I hate
exaggeration—it is my nature to despise it!’
“‘Miss Tadpoddle, do you, or do you not, know who the woman was that
you saw in the garden?’
“‘I will not swear positively that I did know who she was, but I thought
it was Miss Bramlett.’
“‘When you were playing detective that other night, what kind of a gown
did you have on?’
“‘Now, I should like to know what on earth you ask such a question as
that for?’
“‘Answer the question,’ thundered Flipout.
“‘Very well, if you must know, I did not have on any gown at all.’
 “‘How did you happen to be parading the streets at night without a
gown?’
“‘Did you never see any one clad without a gown?’
“‘How were you dressed on that occasion?’
“‘I had on a suit of my brother’s clothes; now, then, what else do you
want to know about it?’
“‘How far were you from Bowles when you heard the woman ask him
about the strychnine?’
“‘I suppose I was twenty yards from him.’
“‘Did you recognize Miss Bramlett’s voice?’
“‘I wouldn’t swear that I did, because I wasn’t close enough to do that;
though I knew it was she by the dress.’
“‘What reply did Bowles make when she asked him how much
strychnine it would take to kill?’
“‘I did not hear his reply distinctly.’
“‘Did Bowles accompany the woman to Mr. Ragland’s house?’
“‘He parted with her in the garden, after kissing her a dozen times. I
declare, it made me sick to see such carryings-on!’
“‘How did you get into the garden?’
“‘Why, I just put one foot on the railing and then set my other foot on the
railing on the other side; then I jumped over, the same as a man does when
he gets off a horse.’
“‘Did you see Mrs. Ragland on the first night you discovered Bowles
and the woman in the garden?’
“‘No; I waited for her until I got tired, then I went home.’
“‘You may stand aside now,’ said Lottie.
“Then Miss Tadpoddle gathered up her skirts and giving Lottie a
scornful look, moved away with long and rapid strides.
“‘Quillet,’ whispered Hogjaw, ‘you have caught a tartar, I think.’
“‘How is that?’
“‘That Miss Wallingford has got a trap set for some of your witnesses, I
infer from the shape of her questions. I tell you, she is a trump, as sure as
you are born; and she will spring a mine under your case yet that will blow
it skyward. I know by her looks and the manner of her questions that she
means mischief; somebody is going to get scratched yet before this case is
ended.’
“‘She lacks a great deal of being a fool, at any rate, and I should be very
glad if she can develop any facts that would benefit her unfortunate friend.’
“‘Why did you not have Bowles arrested as an accomplice?’
“‘The proof against him is not sufficient to convict, though it looks very
suspicious; and then I wanted to use him as a witness.’
“‘Which witness will you examine next?’ said the judge.
“‘Bring in Benjamin Bowles, Mr. Sheriff,’ said Mr. Quillet, without
giving a direct answer to the judge’s question.
“Mr. Bowles walked forward with a dignified step and serene
countenance, and took his place in the witness box, as he cast a scornful
glance on the jury. His dress was fashionable, faultless, and eminently
exquisite, cut in the most approved style of dandyism. A large diamond pin
flashed its bright rays from his bosom, and mingled with the sparkle of the
gaudy rings on his fingers. His hair was very glossy, richly perfumed, and
nicely parted in the middle, while his white cravat was tied in a most
beautiful fashion. There was a look of bold impudence about the
countenance that amounted to an insult, while you could see an
indescribable something that convinced you that Satan had sealed him as
his own property.
“‘Mr. Bowles,’ said Mr. Quillet, ‘are you acquainted with Miss Viola
Bramlett?’
“‘Yes.’
“‘How long have you known her?’
“‘Five or six months.’
“‘If she ever asked you any questions about strychnine, please state what
she said.’
“‘On several different occasions Miss Bramlett propounded questions to
me of a very startling character, but I do not recall the exact words she used.
I remember one night, about a week before her brother’s death, she asked
me if a doctor could tell when any one had been killed with strychnine. She
also wanted to know how much strychnine it would take to produce death.’
“‘What reply did you make to such questions?’
 “‘I evaded the questions by changing the conversation to other topics,
but she would whip round and get back to the same subject. She persisted in
pumping me on the subject, until my suspicions were roused, and I avoided
her after that.’
“‘Where were you when you had the last conversation with her about
strychnine?’
“‘She commenced the conversation at my apartments, but continued to
talk on the same subject after we got into the street.’
“‘She had been visiting you at your rooms, then?’
“‘Yes.’
“‘Did you ever meet Miss Bramlett in Mr. Ragland’s garden?’
“‘Yes, very often.’
‘“If the court please,’ said Mr. Rockland, ‘I do most earnestly protest
against this sort of evidence.’
“‘Hush, papa!’ whispered Lottie, as she kept plucking at Mr. Rockland s
sleeve, ‘let him go on; he is already in my trap, and is one of the main birds
I have set the net to catch!’
“‘We withdraw all objections to the evidence,’ said Mr. Rockland as he
resumed his seat and gazed inquiringly at Lottie. ‘What in the name of
common sense do you mean, daughter, by a trap set for the witnesses?’
“‘Bowles has sworn to an absolute falsehood, and I will trap him before
long.’
“‘Take the witness, Mr. Rockland,’ said Mr. Quillet as he leaned back in
his seat, thrust his hands in his pockets, while a smile of triumph played on
his handsome features.
“‘I will cross-examine him,’ whispered Lottie as she began to turn the
leaves of a memorandum book which she held in her hand.
“‘Mr. Bowles, what is your occupation?’
“‘I am a sportsman.’
“‘Please explain what you mean by the word sportsman?’
“‘I mean that I am a turfman, and follow the business as an occupation.’
“‘Are you not the owner and proprietor of a gambling hell in this city?’
“‘I don’t know that there is any hell about it.’
 “‘You need not answer any question, Mr. Bowles, that would tend to
criminate you,’ said Mr. Quillet.
“‘Oh, I am perfectly willing to answer all questions.’
“‘Very good, then I will repeat the question. Are you not the keeper of a
gambling house in this city?’
“‘No, I am not; but I keep a suite of rooms where my friends frequently
assemble to engage in a harmless game of cards, merely for amusement.’
“‘Do you run a faro bank, and a roulette table at those rooms?’
“‘I am not a faro dealer myself, though such a machine is sometimes
operated there.’
“‘Now, Mr. Bowles, do you swear that Miss Viola Bramlett ever was
inside of your apartments?’
“‘Yes, certainly I do.’
“‘Did anybody else ever see her in your quarters, besides you?’
“‘I don’t think they ever did.’
“‘Were you ever acquainted with a woman by the name of Victoria
Totten?’
“If an adder had stung Mr. Bowles in a vital part, he could not have
changed color as quickly as he did when the name of Victoria Totten was
mentioned. His face, which was actually florid, turned as pale as death, and
his white hands trembled as he put a glass of water to his lips. His agitation,
however, was only temporary, for he was a bold villain, who could
command himself under adverse circumstances.
“‘What name was it you asked me about, madame?’
“‘I asked you if you ever knew a woman named Victoria Totten?’
“‘I declare, I don’t remember; the names, however, seem familiar to me,
but I can’t exactly call to mind any acquaintance of that name.’
“‘Perhaps I can assist your memory a little. Did you know the widow
Totten, who resided three or four miles from Vicksburg, Mississippi, who
had a daughter named Victoria?’
“‘I don’t think I did.’
“That answer was made by Bowles in a tremulous tone, while he showed
signs of great uneasiness.
“‘Have you ever been married, Mr. Bowles?’
 “‘No.’
“‘Did you ever live in New Orleans with a woman whom you
represented to be your wife?’
“‘Yes.’
“‘If the court please,’ said Mr. Quillet, as he sprang quickly to his feet, ‘I
must confess I cannot see wherein this kind of evidence can have any
connection whatever with this case.’
“I heard Lottie whisper to Mr. Rockland, as I was sitting near her:
“‘Tell the court, papa,’ said she, ‘that we will connect it with the case
very soon.’
“The iron lawyer then said to the court:
“‘We think we will be able to connect this testimony with this case, and
if we fail, then your Honor can rule it out.’
“‘The court cannot see the applicability of the evidence to the case now
on trial, but the defendant has a right to introduce evidence in the order
chosen by her attorney. I will not give any opinion just now, but will decide
upon it when all the testimony has been put before the court. Proceed with
the examination.’
“‘What was the name of the woman whom you represented to be your
wife?’
“‘I had rather not answer that question, as it might compromise a lady’s
character.’
“‘We object to the question,’ said Quillet.
“‘We insist on an answer,’ said Mr. Rockland; while Bowles changed
from a deep red color to a deathly pallor.
“‘The court will not permit such questions to be propounded, unless the
attorney for the defense can state some reasons for inquiring into the private
history of a woman residing in New Orleans.’
“‘The woman alluded to,’ said Mr. Rockland, ‘does not reside in New
Orleans at this time; but she is here in the city of Memphis; and Miss
Wallingford informs me that we will connect all this proof directly with the
case now on trial.’
“‘In view of that statement, the court will permit the question to be
asked.’
 “Bowles moved uneasily backward and forward in his seat, wiped the
big drops of perspiration from his brow and coughed several times. As he
played with his watch chain I could see that his hands were trembling and
his face became deathly in its pallor.
“Lottie repeated the question.
“‘Her name was Rose Elrod.’
“‘Where is she now?’
“‘I don’t know.’
“‘Mr. Bowles, don’t you know that you were living with Miss Victoria
Totten, a young girl whom you had induced to elope with you?’
“‘No, I do not.’
“‘We have got him safe in the trap at last,’ said Lottie, in a whisper, as
she put her mouth close to my ear.
“I remembered the time when that identical scamp insulted her, when
she was a helpless orphan child, and how he swore a lie against Harry. Then
I thought of the old adages: ‘Chickens will come home to roost,’—‘Every
dog will have his day,’ etc. Lottie was having her revenge now; though she
was not actuated by any feeling of that sort—but she was working to save
her friend.
“She took a letter from her satchel, and after carefully removing it from
the envelope handed the latter to Mr. Bowles.
“‘Is that your handwriting, Mr. Bowles?’
“He first held the paper close to his eyes, then at arm’s length; he next
twisted himself round, as if he wanted some light, and wiped his brow
hurriedly.
“‘I can’t say—that is, I think—er—er—I was not certain—ahem! I was
under the—well, the writing looks a little like mine, though I can’t say I
wrote it.’
“‘Can you swear that you did not write it?’
“‘I—I—I—that is, I don’t know—I don’t think I did!’
“‘Mr. Quillet,’ said Lottie, ‘please loan me the note about which Mr.
Dabbs testified.’
“Mr. Quillet handed it to her.
“‘Mr. Bowles, did you write that note?’
 “‘No, I did not.’
“‘Mr. Bowles, don’t you know that that letter was intended for the
woman whom you represented to be your wife, and not for Miss Viola
Bramlett?’
“‘I know nothing whatever about that note.’
“‘Don’t you know that the woman with whom you lived in New Orleans,
the same one you represented to be your wife, is now living in the city of
Memphis?’
“‘No, I do not.’
“‘The witness may stand aside,’ said Lottie, as she turned round and
whispered to me.
“‘Eddie, we have got the birds in the trap at last! I will spring the trigger
when the next witness takes the stand.’
 CHAPTER XXXV.
“The next witness introduced was Mrs. Ragland, a very beautiful woman
—a brunette of the Guluare type. She was elegantly attired in a gown of
drab silk, with an abundant train, containing innumerable flounces trimmed
with Valenciennes lace. Diamonds flashed from her bosom, neck and arms,
and a massive gold chain encircled her neck two or three times, at the lower
end of which was fastened an exquisite lady’s watch, half concealed in a
shallow pocket at her waist. Her large dark eyes rolled about wildly beneath
very long, heavy lashes. There was a mysterious restlessness in the
expression of her great black eyes which convinced me that she possessed a
soul that was a stranger to happiness.
“‘Mrs. Ragland,’ said Mr. Quillet, ‘if you ever saw Miss Bramlett meet
Mr. Bowles, please tell the jury when and where it was.’
“‘I have very often seen them meet in our garden; can’t say exactly how
often, though I can positively assert that they met as many as three times.
The last time I saw them meet was but a very few days before Miss
Bramlett’s little brother died; don’t know the exact date, but am sure it was
less than a week before her brother’s death.’
“‘If you ever heard any conversation between Miss Bramlett and Mr.
Bowles, please tell what was said by each of them?’
“‘I distinctly remember one occasion when I heard a conversation
between them, but I think that most of the talking was done by Miss
Bramlett. To the best of my recollection, it was about the 1st of February, at
night; the weather was uncommonly warm and oppressive; I was suffering
with a severe headache, and I concluded that probably a stroll in the garden
would have the effect to ease my sufferings. After walking about in the
garden for some time, I went into the summer-house and took a seat on one
of the low wooden benches that stood near the wall, which was covered
with honeysuckle vines, under which I was partially concealed. I had been
there but a few minutes when I heard footsteps sounding on the ground, and
was very much frightened when I discovered a man coming toward me
from the extreme rear of the garden. He approached to a spot within five
paces of the summer-house, and halting, instantly gave a low whistle which
I suppose was a signal to notify Miss Bramlett of his arrival. As soon as he
halted, I discovered that it was Mr. Bowles. I suppose he had been there
somewhere about five minutes, when I saw Miss Bramlett coming from the
house. She approached the spot where Mr. Bowles was and entered into a
whispered conversation with him, all of which I could distinctly hear. She
commenced the interview by urging him to fulfill a promise of marriage,
which she alleged he had made, and which he did not deny. He made many
protestations of love to her, which she returned in very earnest language,
and after the conversation had run on the subject of love and marriage for
some time, she asked him how strychnine was used to kill rats; then she
brought the conversation round to the effect such a poison would have on
the human system. After a while she put the question to him directly, by
asking him how much of the poison it would require to kill a man; and then
she asked how much it would take to kill a child under ten. She also asked
him if a doctor could tell when a person had died from the effects of
strychnine. Mr. Bowles endeavored to change the subject by asking
questions about other things, but she invariably whipped round and came
back to the subject and persisted in talking about it, until Mr. Bowles in an
angry tone threatened to depart and leave her unless she would hush talking
about poison.
“‘“Viola,” said Mr. Bowles, “I do not like to have you talk that way—it
makes me shiver to listen to it!”
“‘After they had conversed there about thirty minutes, he invited her to
accompany him to his apartments, which she consented to do, and passed
out through the garden and disappeared down the street.’
“‘You may take the witness, if you wish to cross-examine her,’ said Mr.
Quillet.
“‘Have you been friendly with Miss Bramlett all the time since she came
to reside in your husband’s house?’
“‘I cannot say that we were all the time friendly, for we did frequently
have little disputes about matters of a trifling nature; but I never for a
moment harbored any ill-will or malice toward Miss Bramlett. I, of course,
did not approve of her conduct, and many times have remonstrated with her
about the impropriety of it, but instead of thanking me for my good advice,
she would fly into a passion; with that exception, our relations were
undisturbed.’
 “‘Mrs. Ragland, have you not often borrowed large sums of money from
Miss Bramlett?’
“‘Well, I do not know what you would consider a large sum of money—
people have different ideas on that subject, you know.’
‘“Very well, then; just tell us how much money you did borrow from
her!’
“‘I remember borrowing five hundred dollars from her on one occasion.’
“‘What did you do with that five hundred dollars?’
“‘That is none of your business, Miss Wallingford; you have no right to
be prying into my private affairs.’
“‘You must answer the question, madame,’ said the judge.
“‘I could not tell now, to save my life, exactly what I did do with it.’
“‘Did you not borrow the money expressly for Benjamin Bowles?’
“‘No, I did not. Why should I be borrowing money for him?’
“‘That is the very thing we are endeavoring to find out. Did you not
borrow as much as five hundred dollars from Miss Bramlett on two
different occasions.’
“‘Perhaps I did.’
“‘Don’t you know you did?’
“‘Well, yes, I believe I did.’
“‘Have you ever paid any of that money back?’
“‘No; I have not.’
“‘About one week before the death of Miss Bramlett’s little brother, did
you not borrow from her one thousand dollars?’
“‘I think I did.’
“‘Don’t you know you did?’
“‘Yes.’
“‘What did you want with it?’
“‘I do not now remember exactly what I did want it for.’
“‘Did you not borrow it for Benjamin Bowles?’
“‘No, I did not; but I dare say I got it to pay for a set of diamonds, or
something of the sort.’
 “‘Were you acquainted with Mr. Bowles before you were married to Mr.
Ragland?’
“‘No.’
“‘What was your maiden name?’
“‘Helen Herndon.’
“‘Are your parents living now?’
“‘No, they are both dead.’
“‘Where and when did they die?’
“‘In the State of Louisiana, ten years ago.’
“‘Were you ever acquainted with a woman named Victoria Totten?’
“At the mention of that name, Mrs. Ragland’s face turned ghastly pale,
and she gave a sudden start, as a person would when stung by a wasp, but
she promptly answered:
“‘No.’
“‘Did you ever reside in the city of New Orleans?’
“‘No.’
“‘Have you ever been in that city?’
“‘Yes.’
“‘Now, Mrs. Ragland, will you state on your oath that you never did
reside in New Orleans as the reputed wife of Benjamin Bowles?’
“‘Yes, I will; and I do not thank you for asking me any such a question!’
“‘I do not wish or expect any thanks from you, madame, but I merely
want to get at the truth. Mrs. Ragland, did you ever see a copy of Bolivar
Bramlett’s will?’
“‘Perhaps I have.’
“‘Don’t you know you have?’
“‘Suppose I have: what does that signify?’
“‘Just answer the question, if you please.’
“‘Very well, then—I have seen a copy of the will.’
“‘Did you not send to New York for a copy of the will, and pay ten
dollars for it?’
“‘Oh, yes, I declare, I had forgotten all about it!’
 “‘Yes, I dare say you had forgotten all about such a trivial little
circumstance; but I want you to tell the jury what object you had in view
when you paid ten dollars for a copy of Mr. Bramlett’s will.’
“‘I cannot remember precisely what I did want with the copy, but I
suppose I was prompted by sheer curiosity.’
“‘Is this the copy of the will that you received from New York?’
“Lottie handed her a large bundle of papers, containing at least a dozen
sheets of paper covered with writing, the last one being sealed with red
wax, to which was attached a blue ribbon, just below the notary’s signature.
“‘This looks very much like the copy I received, though I could not
swear positively that it was the identical document. If it is the same paper,
some thief has stolen it from my bureau drawer; and I should like very
much to know how you got possession of it.’
“‘I dare say you would, and I promise that you shall know all about it
very soon. Who, under Bolivar Bramlett, would inherit his immense wealth,
if Miss Bramlett and her brother had both died childless?’
“‘I believe it would have come to my husband.’
“‘Don’t you know it would?’
“‘Yes, I suppose I do.’
“‘Then your husband would have been the possessor of a very large
fortune, if those two children had died childless?’
“‘Yes, I suppose that is the way of it.’
“‘But you did not want those two children to die, and leave your
husband to be bothered with the management of such a large fortune?’
“‘I do not know that I ever gave a thought to that subject.’
“‘Well, were you not frequently in need of money?’
“‘I don’t know that I was frequently in need of money, though I did
sometimes borrow a little from my niece.’
“‘Why did you not get money from your husband when you stood in
need of it, instead of borrowing it from Miss Bramlett?’
“‘My husband was not in a condition to let me have money.’
“‘Then how did you expect to pay the money back that you borrowed of
Miss Bramlett?’
“‘I do not know that I ever gave a thought to that subject.’
 “‘Were you ever in a gambling house on Canal street, New Orleans?’
“‘No, I was not; and I should like to know why you ask such absurd
questions of me?’
“Be patient, madame, and it will all be very plain to you in a short time.
What number shoe do you wear?’
“‘Number four.’
“Lottie then opened a little portmanteau which the coachman had
brought in that morning, and placing it on the floor near her, took out a
pretty little number three lady’s boot, and handed it to Mrs. Ragland.
“‘Please examine that boot and tell me whether or not you ever saw it
before?’
“‘La, yes, indeed, I have seen it before! it is mine—it was stolen from
my boudoir, and I should like very much to know the thief.’
“‘You shall see the thief before you leave the stand; but tell us what is
the number of that boot?’
“‘It is a number three, I believe; I know it is too small for me—I could
not wear it, for that very reason.’
“‘Have you not very often worn this boot, along with its mate?’
“‘No, I don’t think I have, because they hurt my feet so that I could not
wear them.’
“‘Then will you be so good as to explain how this heel came to be so
much whetted off?’
“‘I cannot tell, unless it was done by Miss Bramlett, as she very
frequently wore them, because her foot is smaller than mine, and a number
three exactly fits it.’
“‘Are you not wearing a number three shoe now?’
“‘Perhaps I am; in fact, I know I am, because I was pressed for time this
morning, and during the confusion my maid put on a pair of number threes,
which I did not notice until I got out of the carriage to come into the court-
room, and then I found it out, because my feet were being pinched.’
“‘How does it happen that you have so many number three shoes about
your house, when you say that you only wear number fours?’
“‘You know how foolish we ladies are about the looks of our feet, and
you also know that we very often thrust them into shoes that are too small.’
 “‘You admit, then, that you are now wearing number three shoes?’
“‘Yes.’
“‘I see that you have lost the set out of that beautiful ring on the third
finger of your left hand; will you be so good as to let me examine it?’
“‘Now I should like to know what you want with one of my rings?’
“‘You must let Miss Wallingford examine the ring, madame,’ said the
judge as he leaned over his desk and watched Lottie with eager looks.
“Mrs. Ragland took the ring from her finger and handed it to Lottie, at
the same time casting on her a gaze of intense hate.
“‘Where and when did you lose the set out of this ring, Mrs. Ragland?’
“‘I lost it somewhere about the 1st of last February, but I do not know
where I lost it.’
“‘Would you recognize the set if you were to see it again?’
“‘I would, if I were to find it in an African desert, for it is a genuine
diamond, for which I paid three hundred dollars.’
“‘Did you ever pass through a secret opening at the back part of your
garden, and enter the street that leads near it?’
“‘Why should I pass through that way to get into the street, when we
have two gates that open into the front street?’
“‘I did not ask you why you did it, but I asked you if you ever did do it?’
“‘Very well, miss, then I answer, No!’
“‘Did you not frequently visit Mr. Bowles at his apartments?’
“‘No, I did not; and I do not thank you for propounding such questions
to me!’
“‘I am not seeking for thanks, but merely wish to get at the facts. Did
you ever have an interview with Mr. Bowles in the summer-house in your
garden?’
“‘No, I did not; what business could I have with Mr. Bowles?’
“‘That is the very thing we are trying to find out. Is this the set that
belongs to your ring?’
“Lottie handed Mrs. Ragland a large diamond set, the same that had been
found by the detectives.
“‘La, yes, that is the very identical set that I lost; but I dare say that the
same thief who stole my shoes took the set out of my ring!’
 “‘Look at this picture, madame, and tell me if you recognize it?’
“‘Oh, yes; that is a picture of Mr. Bowles.’
“‘Will you be so good as to tell the jury how it happened to be hidden
away in your bedroom bureau?’
“‘I do not know why you should choose to employ the word hidden
unless you take pleasure in making insulting insinuations. I dare say the
thief who stole that picture might have taken many others from the same
place if she had tried, for I am sure there were many others there!’
“‘Did not Mr. Bowles give you this picture in exchange for yours, which
was found in his possession?’
“‘In the first place, I did not know he had my picture in his possession,
for I am sure I never gave it to him.’
“‘Now, Mrs. Ragland, don’t you remember that you had your picture put
in a costly gold locket for the express purpose of presenting it to Mr.
Bowles?’
“‘I do not remember anything of the sort: Mr. Bowles may have
purchased a gold locket, and he may have bought one of my pictures, but I
know he never received one from me.’
“‘Please examine this locket, Mrs. Ragland, and then tell me whether or
not you gave it to Benjamin Bowles.’
“‘I never saw it until this moment.’
“‘You see that the words, “From Victoria to Benjamin” are engraved on
the back of this locket; now, can you explain why the name of Victoria
should appear on this locket, when you swear that your name is Helen?’
“‘Why should you expect me to be able to explain it any more than you
could, when you have just heard me say that I never saw that locket until
this moment? Mr. Bowles could very easily put my picture in any sort of a
case he pleased, and if he chooses to put it into a locket containing another
person’s name, it does not in any manner disturb me.’
“‘Mrs. Ragland, do you not know that you had that locket made to order,
about two years ago, at the house of F. H. Clark?’
“‘If I ever ordered such a job, I do not now remember it.’
“‘Mrs. Ragland, don’t you know that your maiden name was Victoria
Totten, and that you lived in New Orleans as the reputed wife of Benjamin
Bowles?’
 “‘No, I do not know any such thing! It is my opinion that no lady would
ask a witness any such insulting question; but I suppose you are anxious to
play smart.’
“A sweet smile played for a moment over Lottie’s beautiful face, and
then resuming her usual calm, composed demeanor, she proceeded with the
examination, without evincing any signs of annoyance at the ill-natured
remarks.
“‘Mrs. Ragland, were you ever acquainted with a widow lady residing a
few miles east of the city of Vicksburg, Mississippi?’
“‘No.’
“‘Please examine this letter, and tell the jury whether you ever saw it
before or not.’
“The letter which Lottie handed to the witness was the one that Mr.
Dabbs said he had found in the pocket of Miss Bramlett’s silk dress, in
which the loan of five hundred dollars was mentioned, and the same that
was signed with the letter ‘B.’ and directed to ‘Dear V.’ As Mrs. Ragland
gazed at the mysterious letter, her hands trembled violently, while a deathly
pallor spread over her face.
“‘This is the first time I ever laid my eyes on this letter. I suppose it was
intended for Miss Bramlett, as I see that it was directed to her, and I
understand that it was found in her dress pocket.’
“‘Do you recognize the handwriting?’
“‘No.’
“‘Don’t you know that it is the handwriting of Mr. Bowles?’
“‘I don’t think it is, though it somewhat resembles his writing.’
“‘Here is another letter which I want you to examine, and then tell me if
you ever saw it before.’
“Mrs. Ragland’s agitation now increased until her body was shaking like
one in an ague fit, while her face lost all signs of blood, and the letter fairly
rattled in her hand as she attempted to read it.
“‘I never saw that paper until this very minute.’
“‘Now, Mrs. Ragland, if you never saw that letter before to-day, will you
be so good as to explain how it came to be concealed in the pocket of one of
your silk dresses?’
 “‘How should I be expected to explain how it came there, when I did not
know it was there, and when I did not have anything to do with it? I dare
say Miss Bramlett could give you the information you seek, for if it was
found in the pocket of my dress, you may be sure she placed it there, in
order to avert suspicion from herself, and to fix it on me. You see that the
letter was directed to her, and as she was in the habit of wearing my dresses
very frequently, it may be possible that she left it there by mistake.’
“Lottie then, in a low whisper, requested Mr. Rockland to read the letter
to the jury.
“‘If the court please’ said the iron lawyer, as he rose from his seat, ‘we
now offer the letter as evidence in this case, and ask permission to read it to
the jury.’
“‘Let me examine it first, if you please,’ said Mr. Quillet, as he began to
exhibit signs of agitation.
“The letter was handed to him, and after reading it carefully, he said:
“‘We object to the reading of this letter as evidence, unless it can be
clearly shown who wrote it, and wherein it can in any manner be made to
apply to the case now on trial.’
“‘We promise the court,’ replied Mr. Rockland, ‘that we will, at the
proper time, show who wrote it, and also make it clear that it applies most
forcibly to this case.’
“‘You may read the letter,’ said the judge, ‘and if you can make the proof
which you mentioned, it may be considered as competent evidence; if you
fail, then the court will direct it to be excluded.’
“Mr. Rockland then read the letter in his deep, solemn tone of voice,
which caused a shudder to shake my body from head to foot. Here is the
mysterious letter:
“‘DEAR V.—Strychnine, as I have often told you, is the best medicine to rid you of rats.
You may depend on me to settle the hash with the old rat, and I shall expect you to do the
job for the two young ones. Exercise caution, and success is certain; be sure to remember
that the stakes for which we play are of immense value. Love and fortune will be ours
when the task is finished. You will be the richest lady in the land, and shall reign as the
queen of fashion, as well as queen of hearts. A gilded palace in the sunny land of Italy shall
be the dwelling place of my beauteous wife. Burn this letter as soon as you read it; be
brave, act promptly, and we will reap a rich reward. I am dying with impatience to clasp
your dear form to my heart. Yours, and yours only,
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