Spy stories; United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Fiction
"Yes, sir"--much abashed.
"Had the accused a bundle in her hand when she entered your store?"
"No, sir. I put the bottle of chloroform in an empty candy box for her
as she said it was awkward carrying a round bottle, and she feared she
would drop it."
"Indeed!" The judge advocate's satisfaction was apparent. "State the
exact time the accused was in your store."
"About a quarter to four, as far as I can remember. I did not enter the
sale in my books at the time because Miss Newton said she was in a
hurry."
"Have you any questions to ask the witness, Mr. Senator?" asked the
judge advocate. For answer Warren handed him a folded paper which he
read aloud: "Was that the first time you sold chloroform to Miss
Newton?"
"I can't say. It might have been. I do a large business," was the
evasive reply.
"Answer yes or no," thundered Colonel Andrews.
Cowed by the president's manner, Brown answered sullenly, "No."
"How many times have you sold her chloroform?" read Warren's next
question.
"At least three times."
"Since the new year?"
"Before and since; yes, sir."
"Did she state for what purpose she needed the drug?"
"Doctor John Boyd sent her to buy it for him when he was in a great
hurry. Doctor Boyd had a class of young ladies who were learning
first-aid to the injured, and Miss Newton acted as his assistant at the
clinics."
At the man's words Warren started as if stung. A horrible possibility
had occurred to him. Suppose Nancy had visited the doctor's office as
well as the drug store that afternoon! She was probably familiar with
every article in the doctor's office. Could she have known about the
curari? He passed his hand across his damp forehead; then turned to the
witness: "I have no further questions to ask you," and Brown beat a
hasty retreat.
The judge advocate completed his last entry in his book, laid down his
pen, and rose.
"The prosecution rests its case," he announced quietly.
After a brief consultation with Nancy and Dwight, Warren summoned Miss
Metoaca to the stand. The spinster's eyes filled with tears when she
first saw Nancy. She was devoted to her niece, and the signs of
suffering in Nancy's face cut her to the heart. She had to clear her
throat twice to get rid of a suspicious lump before she could be duly
sworn. Though a witness for the defence, the judge advocate asked the
first question, as is the custom in all courts-martial.
"Are you related to the accused?" he asked, when Miss Metoaca was
finally settled in her chair.
"She is my niece, my brother's only child."
At that moment an orderly entered the room and handed a note to Warren.
He quickly broke the seal and a muttered exclamation escaped him as he
read its contents. He crushed the note in his hand, gave a few
low-toned directions to his colleague, and left the room.
Warren had prepared his questions, and Mr. Dwight handed them one by
one to the judge advocate.
"Do you own a cat?"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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