The gardener was called and took the stand displaying a big, black eye, which offered comedy relief to a pathetic situation.
"On the main road to the east," he began after preliminary questioning, "was a small car which had been parked there all morning. I noticed it because it had no license plates. It was visible from the inside of the grounds, but was hidden from the road by a hedge. It made me wonder because it was just inside our grounds.
"I had some very special red flags which I planted as a border back of pink geraniums. They were doing fine. I got them from the Fabrish seed house. There are no plants like Fabrish's—I wouldn't give a snap of my finger for all the other—"
"Just a minute," interrupted the attorney. He told the gardener to never mind the geraniums and flags, but to tell just what happened.
"Well, I was bending over the border bed when I heard sounds like someone running along the gravel path towards me. I heard a humming like a bumble bee and I jumped to my feet. Just then something hit me in the eye and knocked me down. Yes sir, knocked me plumb down, and—"
"Then what happened? Never mind the asides, the extras—tell us just the simple facts," instructed the attorney.
"Well, you won't believe it, but I heard the footsteps leave the road. The geraniums were badly trampled. I looked at the parked automobile and could hear the hum coming from there.
"The machine started and turned into the road—"
"Did you notice anyone at the wheel?"