CHAPTER ELEVEN 37

The sobs diminished to sniffles, and then to occasional sighs. She opened her bag, extracted a miniature powder-puff and
dabbed at her small upturned nose spitefully. I knew that the storm had passed.

"I know--that--that I'm foolish to c-cry, but I just c-couldn't help it."

A clerk opened the door and called Mary's name. She gave me a startled glance and her face blanched. I thought she was going
to break down again, but suddenly I saw her raise her chin defiantly and an angry sparkle come to her eyes. She snapped shut
her vanity-bag and marched toward the jury room like a soldier, sentenced to be shot, yet determined to die bravely.

It was only after she had left that I began to think about my own testimony. After all, the evidence was terrifyingly strong against
Helen. she had threatened to kill Jim. She had quarreled with him just before their last ride, had chosen the back seat purposely, had Jim's
revolver with her, and knew she was being taken to see her lover humiliated and threatened. Against all this, I had only a brother’s faith in his
sister and those half dozen words cried out in a delirium. A sickening certainty that they would indict Helen came over me. What if she should
confess?

In some way I had to save Helen if only for mother's sake. After all, Woods, too, had threatened Jim. He knew Jim had proof of
his dishonesty. He had made the engagement and had asked Jim to come alone. At this point of my review of the facts
decided to tell the jury all. If Woods was at the country-club the entire evening he would be able to establish a complete alibi and
my testimony would not hurt him, while it might be enough, if I could make it so, to hold the jury until Helen could testify. Hearing
steps outside, I turned to see the object of my mental attentions walk into the room.

"You here, Woods?" I queried.

"Yes. Those admirable servants of your sister's gave the police just enough of the vulgar details of that meeting between
Felderson and myself to make them think --well, they ordered me to report and here I am."

He looked worried and irritable. For the first time I realized what the man must have gone through during the last few days, with
his business troubles and Helen's injury. How he had met his obligations without Helen's money, I didn't know.

"l should have thought you'd have been glad to testify to save Helen from an indictment."

Woods whirled around. "You don't mean to say there's a chance of that, Thompson? Why, she didn't do it, she couldn't have
done it. She--she isn't capable of doing such a thing. It's monstrous. I've read the rot that The Sun has been printing, but I didn't
think--I can't think any one would take it seriously."A gray shadow seemed to fall across his face.

"Felderson was shot from behind and Helen was the only one with him," I threw out, watching Woods closely to see what effect
my words would have on him. The man looked as though he knew more about the crime than I had supposed.

"I know that! But haven't people sense enough to see that Helen is utterly incapable of such an act. Good God, they must be
blind!"

I was brought back to the business on hand by hearing my name shouted. They must have let Mary out by another door for
when I entered the jury room she was not there. It was hot and stuffy, smelling of stale tobacco and staler clothing. I noticed that
the jurymen seemed deeply interested and that they were, for the most part, a rather intelligent lot. The foreman, a near-sighted
business-looking person, seemed to radiate sympathy through his glasses. The district attorney, Kirkpatrick, knew Jim wel, had
his help often and was one of his best friends.

"What is your name?" he asked.

"Warren Thompson."

"Your address"

"Eleven thirty-two Grant Avenue."

"Your business?"

"l am a lawyer," I responded.

The district attorney seated himself at a table and arranged some papers before him.

"You were what relation to the deceased?"

"The brother-in-law," I replied.
"Mr. Thompson," the attorney began, leaning on the table in front of him, "will you please tell the jury it there was any
unhappiness in the married life of your sister and brother-in-law?"

"Until recently Mr. and Mrs. Felderson were very happy together. During the last three months their happiness has not been
quite--so pronounced."

"What was the cause of the ir disagreement?"

I determined to begin my attack on Woods at once.

"A man whom Mr. Felderson disliked and did not wish to come to the house.

"Can you tell the jury that man's name?"

"Frank Woods.

The attorney glanced at his notes.