Good. This young man--[_He pauses, embarrassed, for it does not seem a thing to say to this lady_] was with you on the night of October 25? SHIELDED ONE Yes. PRISONER Why, no I wasn’t. LAWYER There is no use, Gordon, in trying to keep the lady from doing what she has apparently determined to do. SHIELDED ONE No. You cannot keep me from doing what I have determined to do. LAWYER For my part, I respect you for it. Then you are prepared to testify that on the night of October 25 Gordon Wallace was with you from twelve o’clock midnight till eight next morning? SHIELDED ONE [_A little falteringly, yet fervent._] Yes. LAWYER Was with you--continuously? SHIELDED ONE Yes. LAWYER Your name is--? [_He takes out his note-book._ PRISONER [_In distress._] Don’t give him your name! He’ll use it! I tell you this is all a mistake. I don’t know this lady. I never saw her before. [_To the WOMAN._] You mustn’t do this! SHIELDED ONE [_Proudly, and with relief._] I _have_ done it! LAWYER And as I said, madam, I greatly respect you for doing it. You are, if I may say so, unlike most of your sex. Now--your name? SHIELDED ONE [_This is not easy for her._] Mrs. Oscar Duncan. LAWYER And Mrs. Duncan you live at--? [_A noise in the hall._] I fear some one is coming in. Will you just step in here? [_He shows her into the room at the left. They hear the corridor door open and turn. A woman is coming in--rather plump, middle-aged--a pleasant, motherly looking woman. She looks from the LAWYER to the PRISONER, moves to get a better look at the young man, who becomes nervous under this scrutiny; then she seems to have it straight in her mind, nods pleasantly._ MOTHERLY ONE [_Cheerily._] Good morning. LAWYER Good morning. MOTHERLY ONE [_To PRISONER._] Good morning. PRISONER [_Not cheerily._] Good morning. MOTHERLY ONE There was no one out there, so I just walked right in. [_LAWYER nods._] I thought you might be glad to see me. LAWYER Oh--we are. [_To GORDON._] Aren’t we? MOTHERLY ONE I suppose I am in the right place. LAWYER Well, it is the right place for some things. MOTHERLY ONE Is it the place to tell the truth about Gordon Wallace? LAWYER It seems to be. MOTHERLY ONE [_Very cheerfully._] Well, then, on the night of October 25 that young man--[_Steps for a better look at the PRISONER_] _this_ young man--was with me. LAWYER From twelve o’clock midnight until eight next morning? MOTHERLY ONE [_Placidly._] From twelve o’clock midnight till eight next morning. [_She takes a muffler from her bag and sits down and begins to knit._ LAWYER Was with you--continuously? MOTHERLY ONE Oh, certainly--continuously. [_She knits serenely on._ LAWYER Well--Gordon. MOTHERLY ONE [_Pleasantly._] It seems that mufflers get longer and longer. [_Looking up at LAWYER._] Doesn’t it? LAWYER Why--perhaps they do. But--you are willing to leave your name and address? MOTHERLY ONE