The Daltons Volume II Part 71

"They could be lookin' at ye when ye 'd aware they were only lookin' at the ground; and he 'd a thrick of stopping himself when he was laughing hearty by drawing the back of his hand over his mouth, this way."

As the witness accompanied these words by a gesture, a low murmur of astonishment ran through the court, for more than once during the morning Meekins had been seen to perform the very act described.

"You would probably be able to know him again if you saw him."

"That I would."

"Look around you, now, and tell me if you see him here. No, no, he's not in the jury-box; still less likely it is that you 'd find him on the bench."

The witness, neither heeding the remark nor the laughter which followed it, slowly rose and looked around him.

"Move a little to one side, if ye plase," said he to a member of the inner bar. "Yes, that's him." And he pointed to Meekins, who, with crossed arms and lowering frown, stood still and immovable.

The bystanders all fell back at the same instant, and now he remained isolated in the midst of that crowded scene, every eye bent upon him.

"You 're wearing well, Sam," said the witness, addressing him familiarly. "Maybe it's the black wig you 'ye on; but you don't look a day oulder than when I seen you last."

This speech excited the most intense astonishment in the court, and many now perceived, for the first time, that Meekins did not wear his own hair.

"Are you positive, then, that this man is Black Sam?"

"I am."

"Are you prepared to swear to it on your solemn oath, taking all the consequences false evidence will bring down upon you?"

"I am."

"You are quite certain that it's no accidental resemblance, but that this is the very identical man you knew long ago?"

"I'm certain sure. I'd know him among a thousand; and, be the same token, he has a mark of a cut on the crown of his head, three inches long. See, now, if I 'm not right."

Meekins was now ordered to mount the witness-table, and remove his wig.

He was about to say something, but Wallace stopped him and whispered a few words in his ear.

"I would beg to observe," said the lawyer, "that if an old cicatrix is to be the essential token of recognition, few men who have lived the adventurous life of Meekins will escape calumny."

"'T is a mark like the letter V," said Jimmy; "for it was ould Peter himself gave it him, one night, with a bra.s.s candlestick. There it is!"

cried he, triumphantly; "did n't I tell true?"

The crowded galleries creaked under the pressure of the eager spectators, who now bent forward and gazed on this strong proof of identification.

"Is there any other mark by which you could remember him?"

"Sure, I know every fayture in his face,--what more d'ye want?"

"Now, when did you see him last,--I mean before this day?"

"The last time I seen him was the mornin' he was taken up."

"How do you mean' taken up'?"

"Taken up by the polis."

"Taken by the police,----for what?"

"About the murder, to be sure."

A thrill of horror pervaded the court as these words were spoken, and Meekins, whose impa.s.sive face had never changed before, became now pale as death.

"Tell the jury what you saw on the morning you speak of."

"I was at home, work in', when the polis pa.s.sed by. They asked me where Black Sam lived; 'Up the road,' says I."

"How far is your house from his?"

"About fifty perches, your honor, in the same boreen, but higher up."

"So that, in going from Mr. G.o.dfrey's to his own home, Sam must have pa.s.sed your door?"

"Yes, sir."

"This he did every day,--two or three times,--did n't he?"

"He did, sir."

"Did you usually speak to each other as he went by?"

"Yes, sir; we always would say, 'G.o.d save you,' or the like."

"How was he dressed on these occasions?"

"The way he was always dressed,----how would he be?"

"That's exactly what I 'm asking you."

"Faix! he had his coat and breeches, like any other man."

"I see. He had his coat and breeches, like any other man; now, what color was his coat?"

"It was gray, sir,----blue-gray. I know it well."

"How do you come to know it well?"

"Bekase my own boy, Ned, sir, bought one off the same piece before he 'listed, and I couldn't forget it."

"Where were you the day after the murder, when the policemen came to take Sam Eustace?"

"I was sitting at my own door, smoking a pipe, and I see the polis comin', and so I went in and shut the door."