Slim was worried. He talked to her lawyers, Youngquist and Rubicam, that night. The next morning we were both in court. It was direct examination. Slim identified himself, then he was asked: "You have investigated Tom Ellingbery's activities over the past three months?"
"Yes." Slim was very self-composed.
"Did you, on the night of August 26, observe him going into an apartment house at this address?"
"Yes."
And so on—but never a word of where Slim was when he saw all this. Very clever, I thought, but when I looked at those sharp-eyed young fellows at Tom Ellingbery's table, I knew it'd never get by.
Presently Mr. Youngquist said, "You may inquire." I held my breath. But one of the young fellows looked up and said, "Are you going to put his partner on?"
"Yes," said Mr. Youngquist.
"With that understanding, there are no questions of this witness, your honor."
I jumped as if I had sat down on an electric griddle. It was plain even to me; they figured Slim was pretty sharp, so they'd wait for me, and in the meantime they wouldn't tip me off by asking Slim any questions. I wished I could have held my breath for about three days.