The girl hesitated. “Yes, monsieur,” she said, “if that is the way to have him hold up his hand.”
Again Thompson was disturbed. Again he spoke to the prosecutor and again that attorney objected.
“We have not asked to have Mr. Thompson testify in this case,” he said. “It is true Mr. Thompson is concerned about the result of this trial. He is the nephew of the decedent and his heir. It is only natural that he should properly concern himself to see that the assassin is brought to justice.”
He spoke to the girl. “Do you wish to make Mr. Thompson your witness?” he said.
And again she replied with the hesitating formula:
“Why, yes, monsieur, if that is the way to cause him to hold up his hand.”
The judge turned to the clerk. “Will you administer the oath to these two persons?” he said.
Thompson rose. His face was disconcerted and slack. He hesitated, but the prosecutor spoke to him. Then he faced the judge and put up his hand. Immediately the girl cried out:
“Look, monsieur,” she said. “It is his left hand he is holding up!”
Immediately Thompson raised the other hand. “I beg your pardon, Your Honor,” he muttered. “I am left-handed; I sometimes make that mistake.”