The Judas Window

'Where's the dustbin?'

'In the kitchenette.'

'This kitchenette opens into the dining-room?'

'Same as usual,' agreed Grabell.

*Was the door closed between?'

'Yes. Or very near. Just a crack.'

'What'd you see or hear then?'

'Well, I wasn't making much noise. While I was standing in the kitchenette, I heard the door of the dining-room open - that's the other door to the dining-room, leading to the little entry. I thought: '"Ullo!" Because Mr Answell wasn't expected back. I peeped through and see a man coming into the dining-room, walking very soft and quick. You could tell he was up to no good. The blinds was all drawn in the dining-room, too. First he gave a tap on all the walls, like as if he was looking for a safe. Then he started to open the drawers in the sideboard. What he took out I didn't know first going-off, because his back was to me. Then he went over and raised the blind to get a better look. I saw who he was, and I saw what he'd got in his hand.'

'Who was it?'

'This deceased, Mr Hume.'

'And what had he got in his hand?' asked H.M. in a louder voice.

'Captain Answell's gun, that you've got down on the table there.'

'Hand it up to the witness. Take a closer look, and make sure it's the one the deceased took out of that sideboard on Friday morning.'

'That's the one,' said the witness, reeling off the serial number of the pistol before it was put into his hand. He pulled out the clip and snapped it back again, turning round the automatic in a way that made the nearest woman juryman shy back. 'Why, I had to unload it meself once, when they was getting gay at a party.'

'Tell us what happened after you saw Mr Hume?'

'Couldn't believe my own eyes, that's what. He got out a little notebook, and compared something in it, careful as careful; then he stowed away the gun in his pocket. Well, that was too much. I walked out quick and said: "Hullo." I'd got no call to be respectful to a chap who was there to steal. It gave him a turn, though he tried not to show it. He turned round with his hands behind his back and his eyebrows pulled down - trying to look like Napoleon, I dare say. He said: "Do you know who I am?" I said: "Yes; and I also know you've just pinched Captain Answell's gun." He said not to be ridiculous; he said it was a joke. I know that tone some of the nobs takes when they've done the dirty and try to carry it off, I know it; and that's why I knew he knew it. Why, there was that time Lord Borefastleigh got caught flat with the ace, king and jack of trumps in his waistcoat pocket -'

'You will omit that,' said the judge.

"Very good, your Lordship. I said: "Joke or not, you're going down to the manager and explain why you've just pinched Captain Answell's gun." Then he got much quieter. He said: "All right; but do you know which side your bread is buttered on?" I said: "I don't know about that, guv'nor; considering as I've never seen any butter in me life." He said, in a way I'll bet he didn't talk at the bank: "There's a quid in it for you if you keep your mouth shut about this." I thought I'd just see what he was up to, and I said: "I know what that is, guv'nor; that's margerine; and I've had plenty of that on me bread." He said: "Very well; ten pounds, and that's my limit." So he went away with the gun.'

'Did you take the ten pounds?' enquired the judge.

'Yes, your Lordship, I did,' answered Grabell, with defiant querulousness. 'What would you have done?'

'It is not a matter on which I dare pass judgment,' said Mr Justice Rankin. 'Go on, Sir Henry.'

'He went away with the gun.' H.M. wagged his head. 'And what did you do after that?'

‘I knew he was up to no good, so I thought I'd better warn Captain Answell about it.' -

'Oh? Did you warn Captain Answell about it?'

'Yes. Not that he's good for as much as a bob; but I thought it was my duty to, that's all.'

"When did you warn him?'

'I couldn't do it then, him being away in the country. But he turned up unexpected the next day -'

'Uh-huh. So, after all, he was in London on the Saturday of the murder, was he?' said H.M. He allowed a pause, taking the other's movement of the jaws, carried almost to the point of making a face, for a reply. 'When did you see him?'

"Bout ten minutes past six on Saturday evening. He drove into the place behind the block of flats, where they park the cars. There was nobody else about, so I told him Mr Hume had been there the day before and pinched his gun.'

'What did he say?'

'He looked queer for a minute; thoughtful-like; then he said: "Thanks; that'll be very useful," and up and handed me half a crown. Then he turned the car round and whizzed out of there.'

'Now listen to me, son. The pistol that was found in the accused's pocket - that gun - the gun he's supposed to have taken with him on Saturday night to use on Mr Hume - was actually stolen out of the flat on Friday by Mr Hume himself? Is that right?'

'That's as true as God made little apples,' retorted the witness, leaning out of the box in response to H.M.'s pointed finger.

H.M. sat down.

Grabell might have been an insolent and garrulous witness, but these facts themselves made an enormous impression. We knew, however, that a tussle was coming. The antagonism which sprang up between this witness and Sir Walter Storm was apparent before the Attorney-General had uttered a word. Owing to the Londoner's instinctive awe and reverence before a red robe, which represents a hazy conception of Law-cum-Empire and things deeply rooted, Grabell had shown towards the judge a submissiveness approaching humility. Towards the prosecution he held no such views. They evidently represented to him someone who was merely out to do you down. Grabell must have gone into the box with an eye on them, and ready to bristle. This was not soothed by Sir Walter's - entirely unintentional - lofty stare.

'Ah ... Grabell. You tell us you accepted ten pounds from Mr Hume?'

'Yes.'

'Do you think it was an honourable act for you to accept it?'

'Do you think it was an honourable act for 'im to offer it?'

'Mr Hume's habits are not, I think, in question -'

"Well then, they ought to be. You're trying to hang that poor devil there because of 'em.'

The Attorney-General suddenly must have looked so dangerous that the witness drew back a little. 'Do you know what contempt of court is, Grabell?'

'Yes.'

'In case you do not, my lord may have to make it quite clear to you. To avoid any unpleasant consequences, I must tell you that your business here is to answer my questions - nothing else. Do I make myself understood?'

Grabell, rather pale, looked as though he were straining at a leash; but he jerked his head and made no comment.

'Very well. I am glad you appreciate that.' Sir Walter set his papers in order. T should deduce,' he pursued, with-a sidelong glance at the jury, 'that you are a follower of the doctrines of Karl Marx?'

'Never heard of him.'

'Are you a Communist?'

'That's as may be.'

'Have you not made up your mind? - Did you, or did you not, accept a bribe from Mr Hume?'

'Yes. But I went directly and told Captain Answell afterwards.'

'I see. Your "honour rooted in dishonour stands". Is that what you wish us to believe? Do you wish us to believe that you are all the more trustworthy because you were twice unfaithful to a trust?'

"Ere, what's all this?' cried the witness, staring round.

'You tell us that round about January 3rd you were employed at D'Orsay Chambers, Duke Street. Are you not employed there now?'

'No ... I left.'

'You left: why?'

Silence.

'Were you dismissed?' 'You could call it that, yes.' 'So you were dismissed. Why?' 'Answer the question,' said the judge sharply. 'I didn't get on with the manager, and they were overstaffed.'