The Witness for the Defence [Paperback]

A. E. W. Mason (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2006

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1914 Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXVI TWO STRANGERS "You came back to the tent," she began, "and ever since then you have misunderstood what you saw. For this is the truth: I was going to kill myself." Thresk was startled as he had not expected to be; and a great wave of relief swept over him and uplifted his soul. Here was the simplest explanation, yet it had never occurred to him. Always he had been besieged by the vision of Stella standing quietly by the table, deliberately preparing her rifle for use, always he had linked up that vision with the death of Stephen Ballantyne in a dreadful connection. He did not doubt that she spoke the truth now. Looking at her and noticing the anguish of her face, he could not doubt it. So definite a premeditation as he had imagined there had not been, and relief carried him to pity. "So it had come to that?" he said. "Yes," replied Stella. "And you had your share in bringing it to that--you who sit in judgment." "I!" Thresk exclaimed. "Yes, you who sit in judgment. I am not alone. No, I am not alone. A crime was committed? Then you must shoulder your portion of the blame." Thresk asked himself in vain what was his share. He had done a cowardly thing years ago a few miles from this spot. He had never ceased to reproach himself for the cowardice. But that it had lived and worked like some secret malady until in the end it had made him an all-unconscious accomplice in that midnight tragedy, a sharer in its guilt, if guilt there were--here again was news for him. But the knowledge which her first words had given to him, that all these years he had never got the truth of her, kept him humble now. He ceased to be judge. He became pupil and as pupil he answered her. "I am ready to shoulder it." He was seated on a cushioned bench which stood behind the...

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 236 pages
• Publisher: IndyPublish.com (March 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1421993198
• ISBN-13: 978-1421993195
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)