The White Rose of Memphis

“‘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.’