Page:Burton Stevenson--The marathon mystery.djvu/81

Rh and there had been a short, fierce struggle before he fell under the blow of the pipe. He was not unconscious, but was struggling to his feet again, when his assailant shot him.

Jury, coroner, reporters listened with close attention. Godfrey watched her with a grim little smile at her superb assurance, her perfect poise. Then he glanced at the jury and smiled again as he noted their seriously respectful faces. When she had finished, Goldberg began a brief examination.

“That is not precisely the story you told last night, Miss Croydon,” he suggested.

“No,” she said; “no--I was too startled, then, too over-wrought to think quite clearly. This morning I endeavoured to recall exactly what occurred.”

“And you believe that you have succeeded?”

“Yes, sir; I am sure of it.”

“You would say, then, I suppose, that the deceased had been killed in self-defence.”

“I am not familiar with the niceties of the law, sir,” she answered steadily.

“But there was a struggle?”

“Yes, sir.”

“And the deceased was endeavouring to inflict some injury upon his adversary?”

“He was doing his best to do so, I should say, sir.”

The coroner paused for a moment and glanced at the jury, but none of them seemed disposed to ask any questions. Then Goldberg made a sign to Simmonds. He left the room, but reappeared in a moment, leading in Jimmy the Dude.

Not until they were quite near did Miss Croydon