“And I insist that she doesn’t,” Mason said. “Miss Monteith is not going to answer any more questions. She’s been a witness. She’s under a great emotional strain. I think the jury will understand my position as her attorney in announcing that she has now completed her testimony. She has given the district attorney and the coroner an opportunity to ask her all reasonable questions. I am not going to have the examination unduly prolonged.”
“He can’t do that,” Sprague said to the coroner.
“I’ve already done it,” Mason told him.
The coroner said, “I don’t know whether he can or not, but I know that this young woman is nervous. I don’t think you’re making proper allowance for that condition, Sprague. Under ordinary circumstances, a widow is given condolences and sympathy. She’s particularly spared from any nerve shock. This witness certainly has been subjected to a series of trying experiences during the last twenty-four hours. As far as the coroner is concerned, she’s going to be excused. We’re trying to complete this inquest at one sitting. I’m getting facts, that’s all. And I want to keep moving. You’ll have plenty of opportunity to ask her questions before the Grand Jury, and on the witness stand... I’m going to ask Mrs. Helen Watkins Sabin to come forward as a witness.”
“She ain’t here,” the sheriff said.
“Where is she?”
“I don’t know, I haven’t been able to serve a subpoena on her.”
“How about Steven Watkins?”
“The same with him.”
“Is Waid here, the secretary?”