Part 68 (1/2)
”For long?”
”For many years.”
”My honorable opponent has hinted that there is a mystery hanging about this man. He even hazards a guess that his name may not be Clifford Heath. Do you know aught of this mystery?”
”I do.”
”Does the prisoner bear a name not his own?”
”He does not bear his own name entire.”
”Mr. Heathercliffe, who is this man who calls himself Doctor Clifford Heath?”
”He is _Sir Clifford Heathercliffe_, and my elder brother.”
CHAPTER XLII.
A TORTURED WITNESS.
There is a profound sensation in the court room.
Constance Wardour catches her breath, and bends forward to look at her lover, the color coming and going hotly in her cheeks. She had chosen to hear nothing of his past, and so Mr. O'Meara has introduced the Honorable George Heathercliffe, that morning, saying only: ”A most important witness, Constance; a _strong_ witness.”
”He is Sir Clifford Heathercliffe, and my elder brother.”
Mr. Rand, the prosecuting attorney, moves uneasily in his seat, and begins to wonder what small shot O'Meara holds back of this big sh.e.l.l.
Without seeming to notice the sensation created by his self-possessed witness, O'Meara goes on rapidly.
”How long has your brother, Sir Clifford Heathercliffe, been in America?”
”For more than three years.”
”Until you received the telegram calling you to his aid, did you know where to find your brother?”
”I did not.”
”Mr. Heathercliffe, have you that telegram in your possession?”
”I have.”
”Will you permit his honor, the judge, to see that telegram?”
”a.s.suredly.” He draws forth a morocco letter case, and taking therefrom a slip of paper hands it to O'Meara. That astute gentleman pa.s.ses it carelessly on to the clerk, saying: ”Read it please.”
Rising to receive the paper, the clerk reads:
_Honorable George Heathercliffe, Cliffe Towers, etc., etc.,_