Cartwright turned quickly with a snarl like that of a dog suddenly
goaded into a fight.
"How can you swear, then, that the prisoner made the assault?"
The little man changed color and stammered out in excuse:
"He was as big as him, anyway, and there ain't no other like him nowhere
in them parts."
"Oh, he was as _big_ as him, was he?" This retort came with undisguised
contempt. "And there are no others like him, eh? Do you know _everybody_
in Bell County, Mr. Bowditch?"
The mail-carrier did not answer.
Cartwright waited until the discomfiture of the witness could be felt by
the jury, dismissed him with a wave of his hand, and, looking over the
room, beckoned to an old man seated by a girl--the same couple he had
been talking to before his appointment by the Court--and said in a
loud voice:
"Will Mr. Perkins Tilden take-the stand?"
At the mention of his father's name, Bud, who had maintained throughout
his indifferent attitude, straightened himself erect in his chair with
so quick a movement that the deputy edged a foot nearer and
instinctively slid his hand to his hip-pocket.
Pages:
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65