But it is
disingenuousness that makes him delightful. And the greatest of all
delights that a law-court can give us is a disingenuous witness who is
quick-minded, resourceful, thoroughly master of himself and his story,
pitted against a counsel as well endowed as himself. The most vivid
and precious of my memories is of a case in which a gentleman, now
dead, was sued for breach of promise, and was cross-examined
throughout a whole hot day in midsummer by the late Mr. Candy. The
lady had averred that she had known him for many years. She called
various witnesses, who testified to having seen him repeatedly in her
company. She produced stacks of letters in a handwriting which no
expert could distinguish from his. The defence was that these letters
were written by the defendant's secretary, a man who was able to
imitate exactly his employer's handwriting, and who was, moreover,
physically a replica of his employer. He was dead now; and the
defendant, though he was a very well-known man, with many friends, was
unable to adduce any one who had seen that secretary dead or alive.
Not a soul in court believed the story. As it was a complicated story,
extending over many years, to demolish it seemed child's play. Mr.
Candy was no child. His performance was masterly.
Pages:
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236