The witness, already faint from Updyke's relentless tongue lashing, wavered in his chair, though making great effort to steady himself. He craved a stimulant--wine, beer, whisky--anything to quench the parching thirst within him. At this point Updyke handed him a drink of cool water, and he swallowed it down at a gulp. The effect was carefully noted, the demeanor of Parkins almost immediately changing back to normal. He asked for another and that was given to him. Then he sat up, quite refreshed, and indicated that he was ready to proceed. "Did you ever consider the fact that water is one of nature's greatest stimulants?" queried Updyke. "I never thought of it as a stimulant, but rather as a necessity," was Parkins' reply. "Now then, I'll ask you a question that might help you if you ever test its meaning. You have just drank two glasses of cool, fresh water--would you care to take a drink of liquor on top of them? Would your appetite call for whisky, now, if you saw it before you?" Parkins carefully considered the matter, remaining in deep thought for several moments, as he analyzed his desire for strong drink. "No, I wouldn't care for any sort of liquor, at the moment," he replied. "I seem to have appeased my thirst for the present." "Then why not drink your fill of water the next time your stomach craves an intoxicant," suggested Updyke. "Of course your dissipation has undermined your powers of resistance and you might have some trouble at first--but it's worth a try-out. Anyhow you will be afforded the opportunity," suggested the big fellow. At this point of the inquisition Updyke found himself approaching the main issue--the affair concerning Winifred Barbour. All else had been more or less the paving of the way to that subject, and taking the combativeness out of the witness. Now the time had come when Updyke felt compelled to take the chance. Parkins' testimony was necessary to his plans, and if successfully brought out the case against the man himself was "nailed down and copper riveted," a time-worn expression, that Updyke often used. Before starting on the subject he drew a table between himself and the witness, and placed upon it an automatic revolver. This action very naturally caused Parkins to look up in alarm, and also the stenographers.