Part 11 (1/2)
”That will be all. Does the State wish to cross-examine this witness?”
”I want to ask the witness just one question,” Dawbridge said sourly. ”Do you know, Miss Jarvis, that you have the reputation of being the greatest liar in Clinton County?”
Gillian snapped an objectiona”and was overruled. Dawbridge and his judge were going to carry the fight to the last ditch.
Miss Nettie Jarvis left the stand to a fluttering and a t.i.ttering. She looked very indignant. With nose in air, she disappeared. Her great moment had been crowned with an insult.
Dawbridge drifted over to Gillian. His mouth was a snarl.
”You haven't heard the end of this,” he growled. ”Those X-ray films were fakesa”and you know it! Was there a bullet hole in the back of that s.h.i.+rt?”
”Ask the s.h.i.+rt,” Gillian answered.
”I'll cook you yet!”
”I'll make a tough disha”Senator!”
”Next witness!” snapped the judge. ”Mary Nolan. ”
Dawbridge turned in his tracks so sharply that he almost fell, His widening eyes looked at Gillian. He strode back.
”Look here, Hazeltine. What's the big idea?”
”Live and learn,” Gillian answered.
”Why are you calling that girl to the stand?”
”You can cross-examine her to your heart's content,” Gillian replied, ”when I'm through with her. Don't forget the bet!”
The county prosecutor licked his lips, watched the girl on the stand uneasily, and relapsed into silence.
She was a pretty, bright-eyed country girl. She looked wholesome and fresh.
Gillian began firing questions at her: ”Miss Nolan, where did you grow up?”
”Clinton Orphanage,” Miss Nolan said briskly.
”Was Mrs. Truman, formerly Nellie Hearthstone, there with you?”
”Yes, sir.”
”What was and is your opinion of the orphanage superintendent, based on your personal experience and observation?”
”Mr. Wardell was the finest, kindest man I ever knew.”
”Did you ever know him to auction off pretty orphans to the highest bidders?”
”No, sir. That was a vile lie.”
”What is your occupation?”
”I am a cook.”
”Where are you employed?”
”At present, I am not employed.”
”Where was your last position?”
”I worked for Mr. and Mrs. Elton Dawbridge.”
A faint hum rose in the courtroom; but fell-off into eager silence again.
”Why did you leave his employment?”
”Because I knew too much.”
Elton Dawbridge sprang up. His mouth was working savagely. His fists were clenched. His eyes were ablaze.
He shouted: ”That girl is lying! She's lying! This is a dirty, cold-blooded frame-up!”
Gillian said patiently: ”Your honor, will you please request this gentleman to refrain from interrupting me? He may take this witness for cross-examination in just a moment.”
His honor did nothing but stare with hungry fascination at Gillian.
Gillian took advantage of the lull to say: ”Miss Nolan, what do you meana”you knew too much? Kindly tell the jury just what you meant.”
”I meant simply that I knew how violently Mr. Dawbridge and Mr. Grundle quarreled and fought.”
”Fought?” Gillian snapped.
”Yes, sira”fought. They fought terribly. Every time Mr. Grundle came to the house, they fought. And one time, just a few days before the murder, Mr. Dawbridge shouted that he was going to kill Mr. Grundle.”
”Your honor-” Dawbridge began, and choked.
”What did they fight about?” Gillian asked.
”The graft.”
”What graft?”