When the lawyer returned to the counsel-table the proceedings were momentarily interrupted by a whispered consultation with his assistant, at the end of which, while the spectators wondered, the latter hastened from the room.
Curiosity as to the junior counsel’s mission was quickly forgotten, however, as the prosecutor then called Jack Orr to the table beside the telegraph instruments, and stood Jack and the three Exeter operators in a row before him.
“Now,” said he in a low voice, “each of you, as I touch you, step quietly to the key, and send these words: ‘Do you know who this is?’”
A moment the lawyer paused, while spectators, judge and jury waited in breathless silence, then reaching out, he lightly touched one of the Exeter men.
“Do you know who this is?” clicked the sounder.
All eyes turned toward Alex. Without a moment’s hesitation he answered, “Johnson.”
The operator nodded, and a flutter passed over the court-room.
“Huh! A guess,” declared the prosecutor audibly, and still smiling confidently, he touched another of the Exeter operators. The instruments repeated the question.
“Bradley,” said Alex promptly.
The flutter of surprise was repeated. Quickly the prosecutor made as though to touch the third Exeter man, then abruptly again touched Bradley.