Free The Just And The Unjust by James Gould Cozzens

Zollicoffer, on the night of the sixth of April?'
    'No, sir.'
    'Do you know of your own observation whether your husband returned to your home that night?'
    Bunting had been at pains to go over this part of it with her, explaining to her what the question meant, and what the Court would and would not allow her to answer. She hesitated, and Abner knew that there was a good chance she would either forget or deliberately answer as she pleased. She said finally, 'No, sir.'
    'You don't know, of your own observation,' Bunting said, probably with inward relief. 'Did you hear anything at or near your home in the course of the evening?'
    Mrs. Zollicoffer hesitated again. 'Why,' she said, 'do you mean his horn? He blew his horn about twenty minutes after ten.'
    Bunting bit his lip. 'If you do not understand any of my questions, Mrs. Zollicoffer, just ask me to repeat them. Who blew what horn?'
    'My husband did. He blew it like he did — always when he came in he blew it so I would know who it was.'
    'Objected to,' said Harry Wurts.
    'Sustained,' Judge Vredenburgh said. He gazed intently at Mrs. Zollicoffer, as though trying to make up his mind about her. 'Just how did he blow this horn?' Bunting asked. George Stacey, half arising beside Basso, said, 'I also object to it, implying this "he" was her husband, and whether he blew his horn or not, unless it is shown he was in his car.' The effort made him turn red, but Harry gave him a cordial nod and George sat down.
    Bunting said, 'Mrs. Zollicoffer, you say you heard a horn blown. Is that correct?'
    'Yes. My husband's horn.'
    'I object to that!' Harry Wurts said. 'That is what we object to!'
    'Yes,' said Judge Vredenburgh. 'That part of the answer is stricken.' Bunting said, 'Now, please answer only what I ask. You say you heard a horn that night.'
    'Yes.'
    'How was that horn blown?'
    Mrs. Zollicoffer shook her head distractedly. 'I don't know how you mean did he blow it. Just about twice. Like a little tune on it.'
    'Exactly,' said Bunting, 'that is just what I mean —' Everitt Weitzel, the tipstaff who usually acted as doorman, came down the sloping aisle from the main door and limped carefully, as though making himself invisible, across the well of the court. Coming up beside the Commonwealth's table, he bent low past Abner's shoulder and spread out a half sheet of printed stationery. It was headed 'Earl P. Foulke, Justice of the Peace.' In Earl's fancy, but now senile, curlique script was written: 'Mr. Bunting or Coates. Like to have you get touch with me at once. Important. E. P. F.'
    'Where did get this?' Abner murmured.
    'Kid up there brought it in. One of Mr. Foulke's grandsons, I think.'
    'He didn't say what the trouble was?'
    'Just said Mr. Foulke said to see you got it right away.'
    'Well, tell him we did get it. Tell him to say we'll call him when court adjourns.'
    Bunting, his left arm doubled behind his back where he clasped and unclasped his fingers, took a turn past the end of the table. 'After you heard this horn blown,' he said to Mrs. Zollicoffer, 'did you hear anything else?'
    George Stacey got to his feet and said, 'I object again to this witness testifying in relation to the blowing of any horn unless she can some way identify it. All cars of the same make have the same horn. This is on a travelled thoroughfare.'
    Judge Vredenburgh took off his glasses. 'That objection was sustained as to the identification at this particular time.' George Stacey's father had been a close friend of his, and the glint of his eye was affable, the light of amusement over seeing the children grow up. 'There is no objection, however, to her stating that she heard a horn. That she can testify to. Objection overruled.' He shook his head, smiled faintly, and put his glasses on. Bunting said to Joe Jackman, 'Will you repeat the question?' Jackman drew a breath, stared at his notes, and read it. 'No, I did not,' said Mrs. Zollicoffer. 'Did your husband return to your home that night?'
    'I