Page:The Art of Cross-Examination.djvu/263

 of Walter Palmer to get her to give up her claim on the policy of her husband?"

Smith. "I did."

Attorney-General. "Where was she at that time?"

Smith. "At Liverpool."

Attorney-General. "Did you receive a document from Pratt to take to her?"

Smith. "William Palmer gave me one which had been directed to him."

Attorney-General. "Did the widow refuse?"

Smith. "She said she should like her solicitor to see it; and I said, 'By all means.'"

Attorney-General. "Of course! Didn't she refuse to do it—didn't you bring it back?"

Smith. "I brought it back as I had no instructions to leave it."

Attorney-General. "Didn't she say that she understood from her husband that the insurance was for £10,000?"

Mr. Sergeant Shee objected to this question. What passed between the widow and witness could be no evidence against the prisoner.

The Attorney-General said that the question was intended to affect the credit of the witness, and with that view it was most important.

The court ruled that the question could not be put.

Attorney-General. "Do you know that Walter Palmer obtained nothing for making that assignment?"