through all right. It’s the only way to test the current. Okay, Joe,” he said to the electrician. “You can disconnect.”
He picked up a small suit−case and opened it. “I always bring my own electrodes.” He took out a baseball helmet. “This is for the head. I’ve got an electrode in here, and, as you can see, the helmet is lined with sponge. The sponge is moistened with a saline solution. It stops burning. You gotta watch all that. You gotta watch sparks as well. Wouldn’t do to have burning an’ sparks; upsets the witnesses.”
He went over to the bucket and moistened the sponge.
Hogarty said in a low voice, “I guess we’d better sit down. The witnesses will be in in a minute.”
They took up their positions in the last pew. Jay said, “This is giving me a guts−ache.”
Before Hogarty could answer the door opened and a number of solemn−faced people filed in. There was a little confusion as they selected their seats.
Jay said suddenly, “For God’s sake,” and pointed with his eyes.
Sadie Perminger had just come in. She stood in the doorway, hesitating for a moment, and then she walked quickly to the front pew and sat down.
Jay had only a brief flash of her face, which was cold and bitter. She was dressed in black with a little black−and−white hat.
“How the hell did she get here?” Jay whispered.