Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-06
THE ACCOMPLICE
FREDERICK TREVOR HILL.
Copyright, 1905. by Harper 4 Brothers.
All rights reserved.


hushed as the witness ieaped from his chair
face. fA s~s~ss~s
You are liar and coward. sirr he
began, but before he could continue the
judges gavel= crashed upon the desk
Take your seat, DR.. MacIennP' he thun-
dered. How dare you use siieh language
In my court sir!''
The witness glanced at the angry mag
istrate and slowly retreated to his chair, hts
face fairly distorted with rage.
Apoiogizep whispered Gilbert. quickly.
"Ill take care OF Bnrstow."
The witness reluctantly turned to the
bench
II beg the courts pardon" he muttered,
his voice still shaking with fury.
The judge glanced sternly at the speaker
started to reply, but paused and turned to
the prosecutor.
Continue your examination, Mr.. Gilbert"
ne commanded Il will consider your case
later. SIR he added, addressing the ply
sician
Gilbert allowed the witness moment to
recover his self-possession, but MacLean's
eyes remained loweringly on Barstow's
face.
''Dr. MaeLean," began the prosecutor at
vent?'
1T is not sir. The claims against # are
$50 that the creditors will get the entire
estate?'
Yes"
<tiiu Inc leSdleeS nOIllnS
mot a penny"
Then, doctor, you are not personally in
terested in declaring the so-called wife
will forgery?'
II am not, and that man knows it,
The speaker pointed his finger menacngly
at Barstow. -s-a $685.
THAT will do, doctor"
Gilbert sat down. but the physician did
not move from his seat.
ANY further questions, Mr. BarStow?"
The lawyer glanced up at the judges
question, and regarded the witness with an
expression of contempt,
$50 you have realized on all the assets
Of the Shaw estate. have you?" he inquired,
menacingly.
mo. sir. have not"
=. And md yet you say they will not equal the
liabilities %
How do you know, If you haven't sold
them?"
II know about what they will bring"
you are prophet. Ell? And the liaplh-
ties? You have passed all those and know
them to be, genuine. and proper claims
against the estate?'
almost all of them"
But not ALP
mo"
'"Then with assets unsoId and debts I'M
determined, aren't you despairing of your
legacy too soon, doctor? Isn't there ray
of hope left for you yet?
The witness made no reply, and the coun-
sci resumed his seat, his eyes on the Jurors
faces
Anything further. gentlemen? No?
Then you may retire, doctor"
The physician lifted his eyes from Bar
slows face as he heard the judges words.
and slowly turned to the bench.
May make a statement" he requested.
''If it touches the case"
"It touches the case at its core
Gilbert dropped the papers he was exam
lining and stared at the witness, and every
one else in the room sat as though turned
to stone.
Proceed, sir; we are waiting"
I could hear my heart throbbing with ex-
element as his honor spoke
Il was asked began the witness. his
voice shaking with anger-"asked by this
personals eyes sought Barstow's he
indicated him with trembling finger-"if 1
had some reason for thinking one OF the
wills in this case a forgery. l have not yet
given that reason. l, was willing not TO
give it, but my integrity having been ques-
toned, l will withhold nothing. This de-
PENDANT was in the habit of signing Gregory
Shaw's letters, and / could not tell his own
signature from hers, she initiated 1t so per-
fectly. Mr.. Shaw knew she could do this.
and encouraged her to do it, and 1 have
talked with him about it,
The witness paused, but no one moved or
spoke. and all eyes sought the defendant.
who was gazing earnestly at Barstow. The
situation was critical. and felt that moth
ing could save it If Barstow did not i'm
mediately take action. and when at last he
leaned forward and whispered in his clients
I could stand the suspense no longer,
and rising from my chair, l faced the bench.
May l ask question:" I inquired
The judge froMned and hesitated a mo-
ment.
Il think you had better allow counsel to
cross-examine, sir he responded. coldly.
II will yield to the gentleman" Barstow
glanced over his shoulder and waved his
hand toward me as he spoke.
Every well, SIR snapped the judge. PRO
eeed"
81 want to ask the Witness I began.
why he thinks one will genuine and the
other a forgery. if the two signatures are
identical?'
'"That question has already been asked
and answered" Judge Dudley interrupted.
II think not. your honor I persisted.
THE witness said he could not distinguish
one signature from the other, and he now
says Miss Emory could initiate her en-
ployers signature to perfection. but he has
not told us why he selects one in preference
to the other"
81 submit that this is argument" inter-
posed Gilbert, rising as he spoke, land
I object to it."
objection sustained. Now. Mr.. Bar
stow"
The Judge turned to the counsel, but l
refused to be snubbed or side-tracked and
remained standing.
81 have another question, If the court will
not allow that one" I persisted.
Good for you, foreman! Stick IL outt'
I half turned as I heard Bayne's encour-
aging whisper. but the judges disappearing
glance arrested my further movement
IT cannot have the orderly conduct of the
case interrupted, sir" he decided please
take your seat
May l not ask one more question, your
honor?" / pleaded This is an important
point, and
THAT is an improper statement for you
to make, sir"
81 beg your honor will allow the Juror
to proceed" interrupted Barstow.
The judge tmpatiently showed aside the
papers on his desk glancing angrtly at the
jury box.
well, what do you want to know?'' he
demanded, in a tone of annoyance
II want to know why the witness has
concealed the facts he has just related until
the present moment" I responded
II object to the word concealed" inter-
posed Gilbert. THE witness was not ques-
toned concerning the matter, and that is
all there is to it,
II should like THE witness own answer"
/ retorted.
"sic emil Sic emf whispered an ap-
proving voice behind me-
II did not think 1t my duty to volunteer
testimony" responded the witness. lamely
"And yet you knew 1t went to the core of
the case persisted
'.Now, that will do interposed his honor.
do you wish to cross-examine, Mr.. Bar