“You knew Jean Bartlett before and after the birth of her child; what was her mental condition at those times?�
“Before the birth of her child she was sane; afterwards she was ill a long time and never fully recovered from the fever and delirium.�
“Did she make any statement to you before the birth of the child?�
Colonel Coad objected; Judge Hollis said that he intended to show that the prisoner was not the father of the child. Objection not sustained. The judge looked sideways at Colonel Coad and coughed; the colonel sat down. The judge repeated his question.
“She did,� said Dr. Cheyney slowly, leaning a little forward and looking intently at the old lawyer. A breathless pause ensued.
“Please state to the court the condition and nature of that statement.� Judge Hollis’ tone was dry, rasping, unemotional.
Dr. Cheyney took off his spectacles, wiped them and put them in his pocket. “She was of sound mind and she stated her case to me, and I made her repeat it and write it down, because�—the old doctor’s face twisted a little into a whimsical grimace,—“I thought likely the child might be handed around considerable.�
A titter ran through the room. Judge Ladd rapped for order. Dr. Cheyney unfolded a slip of paper and smoothed it out.
“If it please the court,� he said quietly, “I have been very reluctant to produce this evidence.�
Colonel Coad rose. “Does it incriminate any person, or persons, not on trial before this court?� he asked.