Part 61 (2/2)

Hanscom and Rawlins both rose to their feet, and Carmody, moved by a somewhat similar respect and admiration, followed their example. He went further; he indicated, with a bow, the chair in which she was to sit, while the jurors with open mouths followed her every movement. They could not believe that this was the same woman they had examined at the previous session of the court.

Hanscom, without considering her costume as designed to produce an impression--he was too loyal for that--exulted in its perfectly obvious effect on the spectators, and glowed with confidence over the outcome.

She looked taller, fairer, and younger in her graceful gown, and her broad hat--which was in sharpest contrast to the sunbonnet which had so long been her disguise--lent a girlish piquancy to her glance. Mrs.

Brinkley expressed in one short phrase the change of sentiment which swept almost instantly over the room. ”Why, she's a _lady_!” she gasped.

Carmody, while not so sure the witness's costume was unpremeditated, nevertheless acknowledged its power. He opened his examination with an apology for thus troubling her a second time, and explained that new witnesses and new evidence made it necessary.

She accepted his apology with grave dignity, and in answer to questions by Raines admitted that Kauffman had told her of his clash with Watson over some cattle.

”But he never threatened to shoot Watson. He is not quarrelsome. On the contrary, he is very gentle and patient, and only resented Watson's invasion of our home.”

Upon being shown the shoes which Rita Cuneo had worn she sharply answered:

”No, they are not mine. I could not wear them. They are much too small for me.”

This answer, though fully expected by Hanscom and the coroner, sent another wave of excitement over the audience, and when Carmody said, almost apologetically, ”Miss McLaren, will you kindly try on these shoes?” the women in the room rose from their seats in access of interest, and loud cries of ”Down in front!” arose from those behind them.

Seemingly without embarra.s.sment, yet with heightened color, Helen removed one of her shoes--a plain low walking-shoe--and handed it to Carmody, who received it with respectful care and handed it to the foreman of the jury, asking him to make comparison of it with the footprints.

The jurors, two by two, examined, measured, muttered, while the audience waited in growing impatience for their report. Most of the onlookers believed this to be a much more important test than it really was, and when at last the foreman returned the shoe, saying, ”This ain't the shoe that made the tracks,” the courtroom buzzed with pleased comment.

Raines was on his feet. ”Mr. Coroner, we demand that the witness try on that other pair of shoes. We are not convinced that she cannot wear them.”

Carmody yielded, and the room became very quiet as Helen, with noticeable effort, wedged her foot into the shoe.

”I cannot put it on; it is too small,” she said to Carmody, and Rita, who sat near, bent a terrified gaze upon her.

Raines then called out: ”She's playing off. Have her stand up.”

Hanscom, furious at this indignity, protested that it was not necessary, but Helen rose and, drawing aside the hem of her skirt, calmly offered her foot for inspection.

”I can't possibly walk in it,” she said, addressing the jury.

One by one the jury clumsily knelt and examined her foot, then returned to their seats, and when the foreman said, ”That never was her shoe,” a part of the audience applauded his utterance as conclusive.

”That will do, Miss McLaren,” said Carmody; ”you may step down.” And, turning sharply to where Rita sat with open mouth and dazed glance, he demanded: ”Do you know what the court calls your testimony? It's perjury! That's what it is! Do you know what we can do to you? We can shut you up in jail. These shoes are yours. Are you ready to say so now?”

She shrank from him, and her eyes fell.

Raines intervened. ”You are intimidating the witness,” he protested.

Carmody repeated his question, ”_Are these your shoes?_”

”Yes, sir,” she faintly answered; a sigh of relief, a ripple of applause, again interrupted the coroner.

Hanscom rose. ”Mr. Coroner, in view of this testimony, I move Miss McLaren be excused from further attendance on this court.”

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