第27章

"I did," responded the physician, "at Miss Barbara's request.She said her sister was not very well and they disliked going alone to the police court.""Did she state why she did not ask her father to go with them?""Only that he had not fully recovered from an attack of tonsilitis, which I knew to be a fact, and they did not want him to over-tax his strength."There was a moment's pause as the coroner, his attention diverted by a whispered word or two from the morgue master, referred to his notes before resuming his examination.

"Did you know James Turnbull?" he asked a second later.

"Yes, slightly."

"Did you recognize him in his burglar's disguise?""I did not"

"Had you any suspicion that the burglar was other than he seemed?""No."

Penfield picked up a memorandum handed him by Dr.Mayo and referred to it."I understand, doctor, that you were the first to go to the burglar's aid when he became ill," he said."Is that true?""Yes," Stone spoke with more animation."Happening to glance inside the cage where the prisoner sat, I saw he was struggling convulsively for breath.With Mr.Clymer's assistance I carried him into an ante-room off the court, but before I had crossed its threshold Turnbull expired in my arms.""Was he conscious before he died?"

At the question Kent bent eagerly forward.What would be the reply?

"I am not prepared to answer that with certainty," replied Dr.Stone cautiously."As I picked him up I heard him stammer faintly:

'B-b-b.'"

Kent started so violently that the man next to him turned and regarded him for a moment, then, more interested in what was transpiring on the platform, promptly forgot his agitated neighbor.

"Was Turnbull delirious, doctor?" asked the coroner.

Stone shook his head in denial."No," he stated."I take it that he started to say 'Barbara,' and his breath failed him; at any rate I only caught the stuttered 'B-b-b.'"Penfield did not immediately continue his examination, but when he did so his manner was stern.

"Doctor, what in your opinion caused Mr.Turnbull's death?""Judging superficially - I made no thorough examination," Stone explained parenthetically, "I should say that Mr.Rochester was right when he stated that Turnbull died from an acute attack of angina pectoris.""How did Mr.Rochester come to make that assertion and where?""Immediately after Turnbull's death," replied Stone."Mr.Rochester, who shared his apartment, defended him in court.Mr.Rochester was aware that Turnbull suffered from the disease, and Mr.Clymer, who was present, also knew it.""And what is your opinion, doctor?" questioned Penfield.

Stone hesitated."There was a distinct odor of amyl nitrite noticeable when I went to Turnbull's aid, and I concluded then that he had some heart trouble and had inhaled the drug to ward off an attack.It bears out Mr.Rochester's theory of death from angina pectoris.""I see.Thank you, doctor.Please wait with the other witnesses;we may call you again," and with a sigh the busy physician resigned himself to spending another hour in the room reserved for the witnesses.

The next to take the witness stand was Deputy Marshal Grant.His testimony was short and concise, - and his description of the scene in the police court preceding Turnbull's death was listened to with deep attention by every one.

"Did the prisoner show any symptoms of illness before his heart attack?" asked Penfield.

"Not exactly illness," replied Grant slowly."I noticed he didn't move very quickly; sort of shambled, as if he was weak in his legs.

I've seen 'drunk and disorderlies' act just that way, and paid no particular attention to him.He did ask for a drink of water just after he returned to the cage.""Did you give it to him?"

"No, an attendant gave the glass to Mr.Rochester who handed it to Mr.Turnbull."Penfield regarded Grant in silence for a minute."That is all,"he announced, and with a polite bow the deputy marshal withdrew.

Detective Ferguson recognized Kent as he passed up the room to the platform and gave him a slight bow and smile, but the smile had disappeared when, at the coroner's request, he told of his arrival just after the discovery of the burglar's identity.