Round the Fire Stories

Mr. Humphrey: Do you know that your brother is not guilty of the deathof Doctor Lana?

Miss Morton: Yes.

Mr. Humphrey: How do you know it?

Miss Morton: Because Dr. Lana is not dead.

There followed a prolonged sensation in court, which interrupted thecross-examination of the witness.

Mr. Humphrey: And how do you know, Miss Morton, that Dr. Lana is notdead?

Miss Morton: Because I have received a letter from him since the date ofhis supposed death.

Mr. Humphrey: Have you this letter?

Miss Morton: Yes, but I should prefer not to show it.

Mr. Humphrey: Have you the envelope?

Miss Morton: Yes, it is here.

Mr. Humphrey: What is the post-mark?

Miss Morton: Liverpool.

Mr. Humphrey: And the date?

Miss Morton: June the 22nd.

Mr. Humphrey: That being the day after his alleged death. Are youprepared to swear to this handwriting, Miss Morton?

Miss Morton: Certainly.

Mr. Humphrey: I am prepared to call six other witnesses, my lord, totestify that this letter is in the writing of Doctor Lana.

The Judge: Then you must call them to-morrow.

Mr. Porlock Carr (counsel for the prosecution): In the meantime, mylord, we claim possession of this document, so that we may obtain expertevidence as to how far it is an imitation of the handwriting of thegentleman whom we still confidently assert to be deceased. I need notpoint out that the theory so unexpectedly sprung upon us may prove to bea very obvious device adopted by the friends of the prisoner in order todivert this inquiry. I would draw attention to the fact that the younglady must, according to her own account, have possessed this letterduring the proceedings at the inquest and at the police-court. Shedesires us to believe that she permitted these to proceed, although sheheld in her pocket evidence which would at any moment have brought themto an end.

Mr. Humphrey: Can you explain this, Miss Morton?

Miss Morton: Dr. Lana desired his secret to be preserved.

Mr. Porlock Carr: Then why have you made this public?

Miss Morton: To save my brother.

A murmur of sympathy broke out in court, which was instantly suppressedby the Judge.

The Judge: Admitting this line of defence, it lies with you, Mr.Humphrey, to throw a light upon who this man is whose body has beenrecognised by so many friends and patients of Dr. Lana as being that ofthe doctor himself.

A Juryman: Has any one up to now expressed any doubt about the matter?

Mr. Porlock Carr: Not to my knowledge.

Mr. Humphrey: We hope to make the matter clear.

The Judge: Then the Court adjourns until to-morrow.