CHAPTER XXVIII.
_The Detective manufactures Evidence for the Defense._--_An Anonymous Letter._--_An important Interview._--_The Detective triumphs over the Attorney._ These events occurred during the latter part of May, and the trial would not take place until early in September.

It was necessary therefore that the utmost secrecy should be observed in reference to what had transpired, and especially so far as William Bucholz was concerned.
The visits of Edward Sommers to the jail must be continued, and every effort must be made to pierce through the dead wall of Bucholz's silence and reserve in relation to the murder.
Hitherto when in their conversations the subject of the murder had been mentioned, and Sommers would quietly hint at his complicity, the other, with a shrug of his shoulders and a peculiar smile, would abruptly change the conversation.

His strong will and the constant admonitions of his counsel had prevented him from revealing in any manner the secret of his crime, and except for certain actions, small in themselves, but speaking a "confirmation strong as holy writ," he had given no sign that he was acquainted with the dreadful circumstances, or had any knowledge of the affair other than had been already related by him.
After arriving in Bridgeport, Sommers hastened to the jail and found Bucholz impatiently awaiting his arrival.

He was nervous and excited, and his mind was troubled about the success of the enterprise upon which Sommers had gone.
The news which the detective brought reassured him, however, and he laughed gayly as he thought that his money was now safe from the reach of any one but himself and his friend.
There was something so cold and brutal about this laugh of Bucholz that caused the detective involuntarily to shudder as he gazed upon him.

Here between the narrow walls of a prison cell he stood face to face with a man who had taken a human life, and who stood almost in the awful presence of retributive justice, yet his laugh was as clear and ringing, and his face as genial as though no trial awaited him and no judgment was in store.
The sensitive nature of the detective recoiled from such close contact with this crime-stained man, but his duty required it and he performed it manfully and well.
He related to Bucholz his visit to the barn (omitting, of course, to state who his companions were) and the finding of the money.