Part 37 (1/2)
”Answer properly the questions asked of you!”
”That's what----”
The attorney interrupted him by asking as before:
”What is your name?”
”It's Dan Roberts, of course, an' I was----”
”Are you acquainted with the prisoner?”
”Do you mean Jip? Why, of course I am; him an' me used to work together when he lived with Seth Bartlett----”
”Answer only the questions asked of you!” the judge said sternly, and for the instant Dan was abashed; but quickly recovered himself as he remembered what Seth had said regarding the possibility of aiding Jip by his evidence.
”Where were you when he set fire to the shed in Baxter's lumber-yard?”
”Now, see here, mister, Jip never 'd done that----”
”Where were you?” the attorney repeated, speaking so sharply that for the moment Dan was startled.
”Why, in the shed, of course, we----”
”Had you heard the prisoner threaten to set fire to the shed?”
”He didn't mean a word of it; did you, Jip? He was----”
”Unless you answer the questions which are asked, and in a proper manner, we shall find some means of punis.h.i.+ng you,” the judge said sternly, and Jip's attorney whispered a few words in the ear of the witness, which had the effect of checking him for the time being.
He was questioned regarding what he had heard Jip say as to burning the shed; how many times such threat had been repeated in his presence, and what the prisoner had told concerning the crime after it had been committed.
It was the last question which set loose the floodgates of his speech, and, regardless of the judge's warnings or the attorney's nervous gestures, he said, speaking rapidly in order that all might be told before they should check him:
”Jip, he was awful sorry 'cause he'd done it, an' said he'd square things if we'd let him. He wouldn't even put up his hands when I was goin' to thump him, an' if Sam Barney hadn't wanted to show hisself off for a detective there wouldn't been any fuss like this. What does he know 'bout bein' a detective? Why, I wouldn't----”
By this time the court officials managed to stop the flow of words; but not before he had shaken his fist in the direction of Sam, and caused even the judge to smile.
”You may step down,” the clerk said, after order had been restored, and Dan asked innocently:
”Ain't you goin' to give me a chance to----”
”Step down!” was the stern command and Master Roberts was forced to obey, much to his displeasure.
”I'll bet I'd fix things if they'd give me a chance,” he whispered to Seth as he took his seat; ”but that lawyer 'Lish Davis hired don't 'mount to a row of pins.”
Then the amateur fireman's name was called, and he proved a more satisfactory witness to all concerned than had Master Roberts.
He replied briefly to the questions, and when the examination was ended the judge asked how Jip had behaved after the crime was committed.
Then it was that Seth had an opportunity of telling how penitent the firebug had appeared to be; how eager he was to do all in his power toward repairing the wrong, and declared he did not believe the prisoner would ”go crooked again.”