Page:The Art of Cross-Examination.djvu/79

 leisure enough to look up medical authorities to see if they agree with him?"

Doctor (fairly beaming on counsel). "Well, Mr., to tell you the truth, I have often heard of you, and I half suspected you would ask me some such foolish question; so this morning after my breakfast, and before starting for court, I took down from my library my copy of Erskine's book, and found that he agreed entirely with my diagnosis in this case." (Loud laughter at expense of counsel, in which the jury joined.)

Counsel (reaching under the counsel table and taking up his own copy of "Erskine on the Spine," and walking deliberately up to the witness). "Won't you be good enough to point out to me where Erskine adopts your view of this case?"

Doctor (embarrassed). "Oh, I can't do it now; it is a very thick book."

Counsel (still holding out the book to the witness). "But you forget, doctor, that thinking I might ask you some such foolish question, you examined your volume of Erskine this very morning after breakfast and before coming to court."

Doctor (becoming more embarrassed and still refusing to take the book). "I have not time to do it now."

Counsel. "Time! why there is all the time in the world."

Doctor. (no answer).

Counsel and witness eye each other closely.