Page:Frank Packard - Greater Love Hath No Man.djvu/77

 across the room, and at once picked up the fender bar from the fireplace?"

"Yes."

"The bar, you have said, was straight when you found it?"

"Yes."

"Where did you go then?"

"I went to the cupboard in the wall where the cash-box was kept."

"Let us be exact on this point," said Randall. "It is not more than two steps, three at the outside, the matter of a moment, to go from the fireplace to the cupboard. You stepped directly to the cupboard without going anywhere else in the room, or leaving the room?"

"I did."

"The bar was still in your hand and naturally, then, still straight when you reached the cupboard?"

"Yes."

"Very good," said Randall gently. "Now between the time you reached the cupboard and the time you say Doctor Merton leaped across the room upon you, did you leave your position in front of the cupboard?"

"No."

"And during that time you pried open the cupboard door with this bar?"

"Yes."

Randall whirled from the witness box and faced the jury. Gone now was his calm, easy manner, his quiet, conversational tones—passionate earnestness was in his face, and his voice rang strong and clear, carrying a thrill through the courtroom.

"Gentlemen of the jury," he cried impressively, "this