



Produced by Charles Bowen from page scans provided by the
Web Archive (The Library of Congress)











Transcriber's Notes:
   1. Page scan source:
      https://archive.org/details/nineofheartsnove00farj
      (The Library of Congress)
   2. The diphthong oe is represented by [oe].






_No. 107_

HARPER'S HANDY SERIES

Issued Weekly

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Copyright,1885, by Harper & Brothers

December 17, 1886

Subscription Price per Year, 52 Numbers, $15

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Entered at the Post-Office at New York, as Second-class Mail Matter



THE NINE OF HEARTS


A Novel

By B. L. FARJEON AUTHOR OF "GREAT PORTER SQUARE" "THE BRIGHT STAR OF
LIFE" "GRIF" ETC.


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_Books you may hold readily in your hand are the most useful, after
all_ Dr. Johnson




NEW YORK

HARPER & BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS

1886






CONTENTS

Part the First
The Trial of Edward Layton.

    I. A Strange Decision.

   II. The Evidence of James Moorhouse, Coachman.

  III. The Evidence of Adolf Wolfstein, Waiter.

   IV. The Evidence of Lumley Rich, Detective Officer--The
           Nine of Hearts.

    V. The Evidence of Ida White, Lady's Maid.

   VI. Description of the Last Day's Proceedings--Extracted
           from a Daily Paper.


Part the Second
The Cable Message from America.


Part the Third
The Mystery of the Nine of Hearts.

    I.

   II.

  III.

   IV.

    V.

   VI. The Day after the Derby.

  VII.






THE NINE OF HEARTS.





PART THE FIRST.

THE TRIAL OF EDWARD LAYTON.




I.

A STRANGE DECISION.


This morning, at the Central Criminal Court, Mr. Justice Fenmore
resumed the trial of Edward Layton for the wilful murder of his
wife, Agnes Layton, on the morning of the 26th of March, by the
administration of poisonous narcotics in such quantities as to produce
death. Extraordinary as was the excitement caused by yesterday's
proceedings, the public interest in this mysterious murder was
intensified by the strange decision arrived at by the prisoner on this
the third day of his trial.

The Attorney-general, Mr. J. Protheroe, Q.C., and Mr. Standing
conducted the case on behalf of the Crown.

The widely spread rumor that an episode of a startling character was
impending, received confirmation immediately upon the entrance of the
prisoner in the dock. He presented a care-worn appearance, and while
the usual formalities were in progress, it was observed that he and his
counsel (Mr. Bainbridge, Q.C.) were in earnest consultation, and it
appeared as if the learned gentleman were endeavoring to overcome some
resolution which the prisoner had formed. At the termination of this
conversation Mr. Bainbridge, turning to the Bench, said,

"I have to claim your lordship's indulgence for a statement which I
find it necessary to make. It is in the remembrance of your lordship
that on the first day of this trial the prisoner was undefended, being,
as it appeared, resolutely determined to defend himself. Yesterday
morning--that is, upon the second day of the trial--I informed your
lordship that the prisoner had been prevailed upon by his friends to
intrust his defence to me. Being satisfied in my own mind that nothing
would occur to disturb this arrangement--which I venture to say was
an advisable one--I did not feel called upon to mention that the
prisoner's consent to accept legal aid was very reluctantly given. That
this was so, however, is proved by what has since transpired. Both in
writing and by word of mouth the prisoner now insists upon conducting
his own case, and has distinctly informed me that he will not permit
me to act for him. I am empowered to say that his decision is not in
any sense personal to myself. It is simply, and regrettably, that he
has resolved not to be defended or represented by counsel. In these
circumstances I have no option but to place myself in your lordship's
hands."

Prisoner. "My lord--"

Mr. Justice Fenmore. "Silence. Your counsel will speak for you."

Prisoner. "My lord, I have no counsel. I am defending myself, and no
person shall speak for me."

Mr. Justice Fenmore. "Prisoner at the bar, it is my duty to tell you
that the decision at which you have arrived is grave and unwise."

Prisoner. "Of that, my lord, I am the best judge."

Mr. Justice Fenmore. "You may not be. It is scarcely necessary for me
to point out to you, a man of intelligence and good education, that
there are points in every case, and especially in