The Accused

Webster I ran down the stairs, fast as I could. I bangs on the door, but no one answers.

Kersley Was that when you called the police?

Webster No, Guv, I decided this ’ad to be one of them emergencies, where I’m expected to use me master key. In the Pioneer Corps it’s what we used to call initiative.

Webster holds up a bunch of keys, showing one in particular, and waits while everyone hangs on his words.

Kersley But you told the judge that before you unlocked the door, you had heard more than one voice coming from the flat?

Webster Yes, I’m pretty (He hesitates.) sure about that.

Kersley Could one of those voices have been Mr Sherwood’s?

Webster Doesn’t seem likely on account of the fact that he’d already gone out.

Kersley But could he have returned without you seeing him?

Webster Only if he used the fire escape.

Kersley Well, that would certainly explain Mrs Sherwood’s words, ’How did you get in?’ So, Mr Webster, when you unlocked the door, what did you find?

Webster Some furniture had been knocked over and Mrs Sherwood was lyin’ on the floor moanin’.

Kersley And was she on her own?

Webster Yes, as far as I could tell.

Judge What do you mean, Mr Webster, by ’as far as I could tell’?

Webster Cos the door on the far side of the room slammed shut the minute I walked in, didn’t it. (Judge makes a note.)

Kersley Slammed shut the minute you walked in - as if someone had hurriedly pulled it closed?

Webster Yes, you got the idea.

Kersley So what did you do next? (Barrington nods.)

Webster I dials 999 and tells ’em to send round an ambulance an’ the police sharpish, an’ then I gets a blanket and covers ’er up.

Kersley Did she give any reason why the furniture had been knocked over?

Webster No, she was just lying there, moanin’ and rubbin’ ’er arm what was bruised, so I offered ’er the glass of wine that was on the table ’opin it would ’elp, but she just pushed it away, and then she began cryin’ even louder. So I wondered if someone ’ad put somethin’ in the wine that had made her ill.

Barrington (rises) My Lord …

Judge Yes, yes, Sir James. (Faces the audience.) Members of the Jury, you should ignore that comment - it is nothing more than speculation. Carry on, Mr Kersley.

Kersley No more questions, My Lord. I think the jury has taken the point.

Webster starts to leave the witness box.

Judge Mr Webster, please remain in the box for a moment, as I have a feeling that Sir James might want to ask you a question or two.

Barrington You are quite right, My Lord. Mr Webster, may I begin by congratulating you on your remarkable memory.

Webster Thank you, Guv. I s’pose you can put it down to my army trainin’.

Barrington Quite so, but even I was puzzled, Mr Webster, as to how you could be so sure that when Mr Sherwood left the building, on the night in question, he was not carrying his doctor’s bag. (Kersley smiles.)