Part 17 (1/2)
”On the mantel. I wound it just before they came up-stairs.”
”When you saw Mrs. Ladley on Sunday, did she say she was going away?”
”No, sir.”
”Did you see any preparation for a journey?”
”The black and white dress was laid out on the bed, and a small bag.
She said she was taking the dress to the theater to lend to Miss Hope.”
”Is that all she said?”
”No. She said she'd been wis.h.i.+ng her husband would drown; that he was a fiend.”
I could see that my testimony had made an impression.
CHAPTER XII
The slipper, the rope, the towel, and the knife and blade were produced in court, and I identified them all. They made a noticeable impression on the jury. Then Mr. Llewellyn, the lawyer for the defense, cross-examined me.
”Is it not true, Mrs. Pitman,” he said, ”that many articles, particularly shoes and slippers, are found floating around during a flood?”
”Yes,” I admitted.
”Now, you say the dog found this slipper floating in the hall and brought it to you. Are you sure this slipper belonged to Jennie Brice?”
”She wore it. I presume it belonged to her.”
”Ahem. Now, Mrs. Pitman, after the Ladleys had been moved to the upper floor, did you search their bedroom and the connecting room down-stairs?”
”No, sir.”
”Ah. Then, how do you know that this slipper was not left on the floor or in a closet?”
”It is possible, but not likely. Anyhow, it was not the slipper alone.
It was the other things _and_ the slipper. It was--”
”Exactly. Now, Mrs. Pitman, this knife. Can you identify it positively?”
”I can.”
”But isn't it true that this is a very common sort of knife? One that nearly every housewife has in her possession?”
”Yes, sir. But that knife handle has three notches in it. I put the notches there myself.”
”Before this presumed crime?”
”Yes, sir.”