The Nine of Hearts. Farjeon Benjamin Leopold

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СКАЧАТЬ Attorney-general. "Her gloves-did she wear those the whole of the time?"

      Witness. "But, no. I remember once seeing her hand ungloved."

      The Attorney-general. "Her right or left hand? Be particular in your answer, and think before you speak, if it is necessary. My object is to ascertain whether the lady was married, and wore a wedding-ring."

      Witness (smiling). "But a wedding-ring matters not. Those wear them who are not married."

      The Attorney-general. "Reply to my question. Was it her right or her left hand which you saw ungloved?"

      Witness. "I cannot remember."

      The Attorney-general. "Try."

      Witness. "It is of no use. I cannot remember."

      The Attorney-general. "Can you remember whether it was a small or a large hand?"

      Witness. "It was a small white hand."

      The Attorney-general. "The hand, presumably, of a lady?"

      Witness. "Or of a member of the theatre. Who can tell? We have many such."

      The Attorney-general. "Were there rings upon her fingers?"

      Witness. "I observed one of turquoises and diamonds."

      The Attorney-general. "Was it a ring with any particular setting by which it could be identified?"

      Witness. "A ring set with diamonds and turquoises. That is all I know."

      The Attorney-general. "Would you recognize it again if you saw it?"

      Witness. "I cannot say. I think not. I did not particularly remark it."

      The Attorney-general. "Did you remark the color of her gloves?"

      Witness. "They were black gloves."

      The Attorney-general. "Of kid?"

      Witness. "Yes, of kid."

      The Attorney-general. "At what time did the prisoner and his companion leave the restaurant?"

      Witness. "It must have been about twelve."

      The Attorney-general. "Why do you say 'It must have been about twelve?'"

      Witness. "Because I did not see them leave the room."

      The Attorney-general. "You can, however, fix the time within a few minutes?"

      Witness. "Oh yes. At a quarter to twelve, as near as I can remember, I had occasion to go down-stairs. When I returned, after three or four minutes, monsieur and madame were gone."

      The Attorney-general. "Were you aware that they had a carriage waiting for them?"

      Witness. "Only that I heard so. I did not see it."

      (The witness was then briefly cross-examined by the prisoner.)

      Prisoner. "You say that you saw me enter the restaurant from the street, and that I asked you if I could have supper in a private room?"

      Witness. "That is so."

      Prisoner. "Did you show me into a private room?"

      Witness. "Yes."

      Prisoner. "Where other persons could not enter?"

      Witness. "Oh no; it was a room for six or eight persons."

      Prisoner. "During the time I was there, did you attend to other persons besides me?"

      Witness. "Yes."

      Prisoner. "The room was not strictly private?"

      Witness. "As private as I have said."

      Prisoner. "What was the first thing I did when I went to the table you pointed out to me?"

      Witness. "You removed your overcoat. It was wet with rain; and it surprised me that madame did not remove hers, which was also wet with rain."

      Mr. Justice Fenmore. "Do not make remarks. Simply answer the questions put to you."

      Witness. "Yes, my lord."

      Prisoner. "What did I do with the overcoat when I had taken it off?"

      Witness. "You hung it up behind you."

      Prisoner. "On a peg in the wall?"

      Witness. "Yes."

      Prisoner. "Was this peg quite close to the table at which I sat?"

      Witness. "No, it was at a little distance."

      Prisoner. "At the back of me?"

      Witness. "Yes."

      Prisoner. "Did I put the overcoat on before I left the room?"

      Witness. "Yes."

      Mr. Justice Fenmore. "You have said in examination that you did not see the prisoner and his companion leave the room."

      Witness. "But when I returned, after being away for three or four minutes, monsieur was gone, and the coat was also gone."

      Prisoner. "Then you did not see me put on the overcoat?"

      Witness. "No."

      Prisoner. "I have nothing more to ask you."

      Re-examined. "Would you be able to recognize the overcoat which the prisoner wore?"

      Witness. "Oh yes; it was remarkable."

      The Attorney-general. "Is this it?" (Ulster produced.)

      Witness. "Yes; it is the same."

      At this stage the court adjourned for luncheon.

      IV

      THE EVIDENCE OF LUMLEY RICH, DETECTIVE OFFICER. – THE NINE OF HEARTS

      Upon the reassembling of the court, the first witness called was Lumley Rich.

      The Attorney-general. "You belong to the detective force?"

      Witness. "I do."

      The Attorney-general. "On the 26th of March were you called to the prisoner's house?"

      Witness. "Yes."

      The Attorney-general. "At what hour of the morning?"

      Witness. "At seven o'clock."

      The Attorney-general. "Was the prisoner in the house at the time?"

      Witness. "He was not."

      The Attorney-general. "Whom did you see for the purpose of information?"

      Witness. "The prisoner's coachman, James Moorhouse, and Ida White, lady's-maid, and other servants."

      The СКАЧАТЬ