Page:Hopkinson Smith--Tom Grogan.djvu/254

 glance, which broadened into an expression of kindly interest when he read her entire honesty in her face. Then he turned to the president of the board.

“When you awarded this contract, whom did you expect to do the work, Mrs. Grogan or her husband?”

“Mrs. Grogan, of course. She has done her own work for years,” answered the president.

The judge tapped the arm of his chair with his pencil. The taps could be heard all over the room. Most men kept quiet in Bowker's presence, even men like Rowan. For some moments his Honor bent over the desk and carefully examined the signed contract spread out before him; then he pushed it back, and glanced about the room.

“Is Mr. Crane, the bondsman, present?”

“Mr. Crane has gone West, sir,” said Babcock, rising. “I represent Mrs. Grogan in this matter.”

“Did Mr. Crane sign this bond knowing that Mrs. Grogan would haul the stone?”

“He did; and I can add that all her checks, receipts, and correspondence are signed in the same way, and have been for years. She