Accompanied by three other operators from the Exeter office, and with a set of telegraph instruments and a convenient dry-battery, Alex reached the court-room at Eastfield at 10 o’clock the following morning.
The trial, which had attracted a crowd that packed the building to its capacity, already had neared its conclusion. Jack’s demeanor, and that of his father, who was beside him, quickly informed Alex that matters were looking serious for his chum. Confidently he waited, however, and at last the court clerk arose and called his name.
The preliminary questions were passed, and Jack’s attorney at once proceeded. “Now Alex,” he said, “this letter here, which has been put in evidence, declares that the writer, Watts, went to Midway Junction by the Eastfield freight on the Friday night in question, and that he then met the defendant coming down to the station from his boarding-house, and gave him the watch.
“Have you anything to say to this?”
“Yes, sir. Jack Orr was at the telegraph instruments in the Midway Junction station several minutes before the Eastfield freight reached there that night. It was he who reported her coming over the wire to me at Exeter.”
The lawyer for the prosecution looked up with surprise, then smiled in amusement, while Jack and his father started, and exchanged glances of new hope.
“You are positive it was the defendant you heard over the wire?” asked Mr. Brown.
“Positive, sir.”
“If necessary could you give a demonstration here in court of your ability to identify the defendant’s transmitting on a telegraph instrument?”