Argosy All-Story Weekly, Vol. 123, No. 3 — page 168: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

450 bling on the stand, he certainly was afraid of something—whether it was God, or walls of gray stones and steel, or an ugly chair with a rigging of wires around it. “‘ That will do,” said Pendieton triumph- antly when he had forced Madden to whis- per hearsely for the seventh time that ab- surdity about: ‘‘ walking in my sleep.” Brent watched the tramp rise unsteadily from the witness chair, then looked away. Outside, the sky was the color of dis..- water. Perhaps every other p pair of: eyes in that court-room followed Joe Madden as he shuffled to his seat at the table. And among them the eyes of Mrs. Fanny West kindled with inspiration. Mrs. West was instantly on her feet. “¢ Judge!” she cried. The court scowled in her direction. ““ There’s something to be said in this case—”’ The gavel pounded in authority. “That Sunday morning—” Mrs. West adopted the simple expedient of raising her voice over the thumping of the gavel. A court attendant plucked at her sleeve, but she shook him off. ‘“‘ Madam—” began the judge. “T’m going to speak!” asserted - Mrs. West, whose husband was by this time at her other arm. “Not unless called on to testify,” boomed the court, ‘‘ Officer, remove her from the court-room.” “Tt’s a crime!” cried Mrs. West. Sturgis said—” She was being hurried toward the ‘door, Sam West assisting. Mrs. West saw her glittering chance slipping by, and before it was too late screamed: “ Mr. Baldridge, Mr. Baldridge—” ; The door closed behind her. Washington Baldridge, annihilated by Pendleton’s masterful handling of Madden, was eager to seize on any crumb of com- fort. He rushed through the gate to the enclosure before the bar and hurried down the aisle after the ejected Mrs. West. The judge pompously took the opportu- nity to comment on the deplorable senti- mentality exhibited by women in murder cases. He served due notice that there would be no tolerance of maudlin outbursts, i — Digitized k ws Google “Mr. = “eS - i = - da + he ( ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. and that he. Proposed to uphold the dignity of the court. By this time Baldridge was back’ and whispering with Madden. The brief con- sultation ended: with Baldridge waving Madden back to the stand. “Is it true,” he asked, “ that your nick- name is ‘ Shufflin’ Joe ’?” “Yes,” gulped Madden. “Yes what?” pursued Baldridge. “ “Try to speak clearly.” “They call me ‘ Shufflin’ Joe.’™ rg § Why 7 7 Because I kind of walk that way.” ‘‘ Show the court.” Madden looked bewildered. “J want the judge to see how } you walk.” Madden’s hopeless look was obviously a dumb protest that he could not demonstrate his gait sitting down, and Baldridge quickly perceiving it, explained: “ That’s all right, you can leave the stand.”’ Madden rese and stood in awkward in- decision. ‘The man had been hounded and harassed until he had lost the initiative ‘for even so simple a thing as walking. He was waiting to be guided as to direction. —“ Just walk back to your seat,” sug- gested Baldridge. Pendleton’s superior smile broadened. While Madden made his flat-footed way to the table, Mrs. West came unobserved to a seat at Baldridge’s elbow. Madden reached the table to find his chair oceupied, and stood stupidly until Baldridge arose. “That will be all,” were Baldridge’s words of dismissal, then, gesturing Madden to the vacant seat, he picked out Simeon Sturgis. “The defense calls Mr. Sturgis,” he an- nounced. — Sturgis was greatly surprised, and far from pleased. He felt that he had already done his duty, he had not the faintest ink- ling of the rascally Baldridge’s purpose, and he was distinctly distrustful of the unknown. Of one thing, however, he was sure. It was evident that he could thank ‘the meddlesome Mrs. West for this incon- venience. ‘““Mr. Sturgis,” began Baldridge, want you to repeat exactly what you saw the night you looked from your window.” Original fre HO an : — a) “Ty . THE OHIO STATE Ul