“You say you cannot see into the chart-room from the wheel at night. How did you see him?”
“He turned on the light. He seemed to be looking for something.”
“Was he dressed?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Can you describe what he wore?”
“Yes, sir. His coat was off. He had a white shirt and a white vest.”
“Were the shirt and vest similar to these I show you?”
“Most of them things look alike to me. Yes, sir.”
The defense had scored again. But it suffered at the hands of Burns, the next witness. I believe the prosecution had intended to call Turner at this time; but, after a whispered conference with Turner’s attorneys, they made a change. Turner, indeed, was in no condition to go on the stand. He was pallid and twitching, and his face was covered with sweat.
Burns corroborated the testimony against Singleton—his surly temper, his outbursts of rage, his threats against the captain. And he brought out a new point: that Jones, the helmsman, had been afraid of Singleton that night, and had asked not to be left alone at the wheel.