Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-25

| SLOWLY and cautiously Gilbert developed
! his attack, and I followed every movement
| with undivided interest. 1t was evident that
| his onslaught would be fierce and RAPID
| when it came for he carefully cleared the
! ground of all Instructions, without unmask-
! ing the point from which his assault woulo
| be delivered Sometimes his advance al
| most touched the intrenched position con-
fronting him, but he never once Grew ms
adversary's fire or succeeded in feeling ms
hidden strength. Time and again feit
that Barstow must sally FORTH but he re-
manned quietly within his chosen lines
eagerly watching and listening, but wartly
holding his forces in reserve.
A younger, less experienced lawyer co9lo
not have resisted some of the opportunities
for cross eXaminati ton which Gilberts VIII
nesses afforded. More than one mad taken
the witness chair too frightened to tell the
truth even with the gentlest handing, an0
Others feeling their self-importance, mao
obviously stretched the strict limits OF their
knowledge. 1t required no experience 10
see that 4 cross examiner could nave ~
credited these witnesses and mace a pri-
liant showing at their expense ana al
though I knew it was not considered Sporls-
manlike to shoot mackerel in a barrei l
did not understand why Barstow spared the
confident and conceited. was yet 70 Ied az,
that the greatest cross-eXamlnerS ASK tue
feUest questions, and that the pains 10
petty triumphs are often mlned or am
pushed. Barstow evidently knew the GAN
ger of unnecessary questioning put ne wa
Vet 10 show me that no one could disregard
it with impunity.
Having established the fact of murder.
Gilbert proceeded to PROBE the history ~
the deceased and speedily uncovered ms
criminal career. How the man had HSed
unsupported for more than twenty Years
was mystery no one who heard the STORY
could explain, but his defalcatiohs were
only too apparent at his death
Barstow did not attempt to deny Shaw
neculations but was evidently ready 10 re-
sist all attempts to prove tnaI ms eu tbts
noint however when every one expected
Gilbert to show that Miss Emory was Ia
miliar with her employer seersts ana ma
knew he had good reasons Tor taklng ms
own life the prosecutor suddenly shllleo
his ground and essayed to take MS aoVer-
sary on the flank.
Recalling the architect by Whom ne hao
originally proved the plans of the Shaw
farmhouse, he inquired what means OF re-
treat were open for any one who desired 10
escape from the veranda roof, assuming tne
study windows to be bolted.
One way would be to climb to the roof of
the house and descend through the skyIght,
the witness answered. !.
THAT would require LADDER, "ouio 1t
not?" ,z,
"It could not be done without ladder.
1t would be difficult with one
because OF the projecting caves or the
roof" .Lo
veranda roof, which almost prompted the
use of ladder"
VERY well. What other ways of escape
remained" At.
lance of twelve feet, or hang from the edge
of the roof and drop, say, six feet"
Were there no supporting columns to TINS
yeranda roof which man might slide
down? Not practicable because OF the pro-
jecting caves, Ell? Were there any other
exits?"
Certainly. If the window next to Mr..
Shaw's study was open any one could pass
through that.
THAT window led into whose room?"
The witness could not say whose 1t was.
1t was marked Alice Emory on the plan.
There were no other practicable avenues of
escape.
THANK you. That is all. Your witness,
Mr. BarStow.
Gilbert turned to the counsel's table, but
his adversary had already risen and was
waiting like hound in leash, his eyes fixed
fiercely on the witness
The gage of battle had been offered and
accepted.
There was deathlike silence in the court
room the lawyer faced the occupant of
the witness chair, and in memory can still
feel the nervous strain and tension of Bar
slows silent cross-examinatfon L had .ex-
pected an outburst-a tornado of questions
which would sweep the witnes from the
stand and rip his testimony to pieces. But
instead of the fury of assault there was the
fearful comment of slence-questioning, ac-
cusing, damning silence which brought
great beads of perspiration to the victims
forehead, leaving him dazed and helpless,
and when Barstow addressed him he almost
collapsed. But it was the mild tone of the
queStioner which threw him off his balance.
He had braced himself for a shock.
Are you an athlete, sir?" began the
croSS-examiner.
swer, which evoked a ripple of laughter
from the wrought-up auditors.
Are you at all expert on the horizontal
bar?'
The witness smiled gratefully at his ques-
TONER.
mot at all, sir he responded.
Nor on the flying rings?'
mo, sir.''
You have seen remarkable feats of agil-
ity performed by athletes. 1 suppose?"
Eyes, sir-many times"
"Feats which you would have thought i'm
possible had you not observed them?''
Yes. Assuredly.
you do not then regard as impossible of
performance those things which you can
not yourself PERFORM
The witness beamed a genial disclaimer.
aBy no MEANS" he responded; mot at
all
aTben why, my friend. with the life of
human being depending on your answer, do
Won seek TO give the impression that no one
could escape from the yeranda roof of the
Shaw house except by passing through this
young lady's room?
BarStOW5 swept his arm ioEdio HIS Ctitut
as he put the question, but his tone was
appealing rather than reproachful, and the
architect no longer felt alarmed.
II did not say no other way was possible
q Practicable was what think you said,
SIR Barstow asserted with a swift, up
ward glance. Have you not seen much
more remarkable feats than that of climb
ing to the roof of the Shaw house from the
veranda roof?'
The tone of the duestioner should have
warned the witness, but he received 1t with
an indulgent smile
Il think So" he answered, lightly.
And yet those feats were practicable ?.
"Of course
And you have witnessed more marvellous
performances than jumping or dropping
from height of six or even twelve feet
have you not?
For the second time the architect refused