Argosy All-Story Weekly, Vol. 123, No. 3 — page 164: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

“Is this,” asked the prosecutor, “ the man who turned away in the darkness or the one who passed under the light?” ‘“‘Y think it is the man who tured down Maple Street.” “That would be the one who passed under the light?” ‘““ Yes.”’ ~ ' “ Any questions?” Pendleton asked Bald- ridge. “You say,” began Baldridge, “ that you ‘think ’ this was the man who turned into Crescent Avenue.” ‘“‘ Maple Street,” was the witness’s cor- _ rection. He had always regarded Wash- ington Baldridge as a scallywag and this attempt to trip him up convinced Sturgis that he was right. “ Aren't you. sure of ite” prodded Bald- ridge. ‘‘ Remember, you are under oath.” Baldridge had made a misstep. Sturgis’s answer to the question of his integrity was an abrupt “ Yes!” Pendleton smiled. . Samuel West was next called to the stand. It was Fanny West’s hour, re- flected glory, because it was her husband who would speak, but dazzling none. the less, for it would fall with full effulgence on her and her made-over hat. ‘Where were you at 7.45 o'clock on the night—” Pendleton began... West did not wait for him to finish: was walking north in Maple Street.” “On -which side of—”’ “The down-town side,” West broke in ae | again. “Phe side Mrs. Spalding’s cottage is on?” 66 Yes.” “ Tell the court what happened.” “ Well,” said West, turning to the judge in something of a confidential way, “as I came along I saw someone go in at the gate of Mrs. Spalding’s garden—”’ “Would you recognize him again?” asked the prosecutor, “‘He’s sitting right over there,” said West, pointing at Madden. “You saw him only at the “No!” announced West. “ ra 7 had gone on a few steps I looked: back.” ‘When you looked around what did you seep”? » Google ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. ‘Saw the man,” said West. “ The kit- chen window shade was up a little way, and he was kind of outlined against the light.” . “ Are you sure this is the man?” “Yes,” said West with an emphatic nod. “Mr *Baldridge—” was Pendleton’s invi- tation. “If you thought ie strange that a man should be there,” observed counse} for the defense, “‘ why didn’t you investigate?” ‘““} was on my way to catch a train.” “You were in a hurry?” 66 Yes.”’ “ But in walking briskly: past the man at the gate his features were fixed so i that you are positive he is sitting here in court!” “J wasn't in any such a hurry as you make out,” retorted West. ‘But you were on your way to catch a train.” “With a half-hour to do it in, I started at quarter to eight to get the eight-fifteen.” ‘Then, if you thought it was strange, why didn’t you investigate?” “ Because I don’t make my living by meddling in other people’s business,” said West, looking straight at Baldridge. As an undercurrent of laughter crossed the court-reom, West added: “ We can’t all be lawyers.” That brought a stern reprimand from the court, but just the same the jury had en- joyed the joke. Only Madden, trying to ease the collar of his gray flannel shirt, seemed to have missed the point. CHAPTER XV. “ POLICE! ‘ROBBERS! HELP!” HE climax of the trial -came when Peridieton tried to put Mrs. Spald- ing’s parrot on the stand as a state’s witness. After all, it was on the words of the feather mimic that the case hung. The court-room was hushed as an atten- dant brought im the big wire cage screened with newspapers. Baldridge viewed the arrival with a smile of confidence. As the newspapers were stripped away