Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1937-05-22

The witness hesitated. then
We'll, my lord, the letters was A
M and that's the name OF q youne
lady happen TO know"
There was a ripple OF laughter, but
somebody roared SILENCE and the
Judge sat back In his chair.
If that occurs again, I shall have
the court cleared" he said.
he spoke very quietly, but I'll lay
every SOU IN that court knew he meant
what he said.
Then he again turned to the wit
ness.
THAT accounts for the letters. he
said. But four figures remain; but
now Is II you're so sure that they were
the figures you saw"
The witness was red in the face.
My lord, !" he cried, "it's 'er number.
En- telephone number In town. Where
she's employed, I mean. I've asked
for 1t twice week for over a year"
Talk about the finger Of fate
the stars in their courses were fight
ing against Corker jackson. A chance
in a million against him had come
of. AS the witness left the box, /
glanced at the dock The prisoner
wasn't smiling; he was staring before
him, with hand to his mouth. don't
think he saw anything. His eyes had
a sightless look. He may have been
seeing things that we couldn't see.
Then q warder touched his shoulder,
and he came back and stood up. We
all stood up. The court was adjourned,
and his lordship was leaving the Bench.
I'LL tomorrow at ten
February 26
What dayl Seven hours I sat In
that court, and wouldn't have missed
ten minutes for twenty pounds. Yes |
terday, I called it a play-and never |
made bigger mistake. 1t isn't a play /
ct all. It's the real thing. That's what |
lifts 1t to peaks no drama could ever |
touch. Nobody's acting. Every ones !
being himself straining, striving, |
fighting and being fought. The Judge
misses nothing, holding the scales Of
Justice and holding them devtlishly
well. The jury never let up-listening,
thinking, doing their ut
most to get the rights Of the case;
counsel for the Crown is the champion
lone; say that that man did IL. Some
me did it, of course; but you've got
he wrong man" And the prisoner
its there, smiling-nOt all the time.
And the witnesses, the police and the
Varders, the reporters, the solicitors
Jerks, the junior Bar taking notes
nd the Clerk Of Assize-they all mean
They count. Their presence
lere is significant. Damn it, It matters
like he'll. II the jury find Corker
utility, he's going to be hanged.
Just before lunch today he went
nto the witness box. One Of the ward
rs went with him, out Of the dock.
nd at half past three his cross exam
nation began. Counsel for the Crown
vas terrific-Quiet. velvety, swift; he {
made me think Of 8 fencer, with :
mile on his face. And Corker was like \
bruiser that won't be drawn. III
ct down some Of the duel -.
you're defense is an alibi2 At the
me that the murder was done you I
ere in bed and asleep some thirty
lilies Off" I
ayes"
"Alone?" 1
MY wife was away"
$50 that no living being but you
IN say whether in fact you were c
hen in bed and asleep or whether
ou WEREN'T" k
mo"
you had used the car In question u
le day before?"
without authorityP"
Il suggest that you used it that
Ight."
mo, sir" Il
'Having previously changed her NUM-
II plates. in case there should be
oubie and they should be seen"
mo, sir"
'sThat you drove TO Wearing and
ltered the Manor House"
mo, SIR" "
"That you had committed the muir.
II with which you stand charged"
IT did not"
HVerv well. Just look at the key" e
Yale KEY was handed up. That IS
e latch key of Shooters, by Maiden a
house that was entered by b
Irglars three weeks before"