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flicker of expression which will convey a hint of their feelings。 The average spectator likes to look at a defendant； try to visualize the defendant in the midst of the circumstances surrounding the crime； and reach an opinion as to the guilt or innocence of the prisoner； to the extent that he or she seems visually to fit into that picture。
Then； after the trial is under way； the auditors bee interested in the unfolding of the story of the crime itself； in the battle over testimony。 Their attention is centered upon the witnesses； upon the judge； upon the dramatic personalities of the attorneys as they match wits in legal arguments。
So long as the issue is in doubt； so long as the interest remains centered upon the oute of the case； so long will the spectators continue to fasten their eyes upon the witnesses； upon the actors in the drama that is being unfurled。 But let some event crash the testimony to a climax； remove the element of uncertainty； convince the spectators of the guilt of the defendant； and the eyes of the spectators will automatically shift to the defendant； not trying now to visualize how the defendant looked in the mission of the crime； but staring at the prisoner with that morbid curiosity which es to men who look at one who is about to die。 They like to terrify themselves by thinking of the morning when the inevitable hands will drag the protesting prisoner from the cell and march the lagging footsteps along that last grim walk。
It is the sign which lawyers dread； the verdict of these masses； the thumbs…down signal which shows the turning point has been passed； and that the prisoner is condemned。
Never a veteran trial lawyer who has fought his way through the intricate web of many cases； but has learned to appreciate the dread portent of that shifting attention。 Defendants do not know its fatal significance； often they smirk with satisfaction as they see themselves the sudden cynosure of the eyes of the spectators； but not so the attorney who sits at the counselors' table； his law books piled in front of him； his face calm and serene； but his soul shrinking from the portent of that silent verdict。
In this case the silent verdict had been rendered。 It was guilty of murder in the first degree for both defendants； and there was no remendation of mercy。
Judge Markham's level tones cut the tense silence of the courtroom。
〃Mr。 Don Graves was on the witness stand；〃 he said； 〃and was being cross…examined。 The case was continued from last week； pursuant to a stipulation by counsel that a test was to be made with this witness … a test that had been suggested by the defense； and stipulated to by the prosecution。
〃Gentlemen； do I understand that the results of that test were to be received in evidence？〃
Claude Drumm rose to his feet and said sneeringly： 〃It was a test which was conducted with every possible degree of fairness to the defense； at the challenge of the defense； and pursuant to stipulation。 It was participated in by this witness under conditions identical to those which surrounded the mission of the crime； and I asked that it be received in evidence。〃
Judge Markham looked at Perry Mason。
Perry Mason rose to his feet。
〃If the court please；〃 he said； 〃there is no objection to that。 It is； however； not a part of my cross…examination。 That is； it must e in as a part of the redirect examination of this witness； and the question is therefore not properly before the court at the present time。 But； when the question does e before the court； if the District Attorney desires to examine this witness as to the test； I shall make no objection； subject； however； to the fact that I shall have the right to cross…examine the various witnesses to that test； as to the actual circumstances surrounding it。〃
It had been said of Judge Markham that the lawyer did not live who had ever brought an expression of surprise to the face of the magistrate when he was sitting in a court of law。 Now Judge Markham stared at Perry Mason as though he would try to read what might be in the mind of the counsel for the defense； and his eyes were wide and thoughtful。
Perry Mason met his gaze calmly and placidly。
〃Shall I proceed with the cross…examination of the witness？〃 he asked。
〃Proceed；〃 snapped Judge Markham。
〃You are familiar with the business affairs of Edward Norton？〃 asked Perry Mason in an even monotone of passionless inquiry。
〃I am fully familiar with all of those affairs；〃 said Don Graves。
〃You are then familiar with the expiration date of the insurance policy which lay upon the desk of Edward Norton？〃 asked Perry Mason。
〃I am。〃
〃What was the expiration date of that insurance policy？〃
〃The twenty…sixth of October of the present year。〃
〃Ah！ Then the insurance policy expired but three days after the murder of Edward Norton？〃
〃That is correct。〃
〃Is it a fact； Mr。 Graves； that you have some animus； some prejudice against the defendant； Frances Celane； in this case； due to the fact that she is married to Robert Gleason？〃
The question came as a surprise； and there was that suppressed rustle of motion from the courtroom which indicates a sudden snapping to attention on the part of the spectators； a craning of necks； a pushing forward to the extreme edges of the seats。
〃That is not true！〃 protested Don Graves； with a show of feeling。 〃I did everything I could to keep the name of Frances Celane out of this。 I am testifying in this matter only because I was forced to court under a subpoena。〃
〃And you have no bias against Frances Celane for any other reason？〃
〃None。〃
〃Or against Robert Gleason？〃
〃No。 I hold no feeling of friendship for Robert Gleason because I know him but slightly； but for Miss Celane； my feelings are entirely different。 I would not say a word in this courtroom which would connect her in any way with the murder of Edward Norton unless I knew absolutely and beyond all reasonable doubt that what I said was true and correct。〃
〃No further questions；〃 said Perry Mason； with the air of a man who has been defeated。
Claude Drumm got to his feet； and said with just a trace of a sneer in his air of triumph： 〃I have a few questions to ask upon redirect examination。 You were asked upon cross…examination； Mr。 Graves； whether you had ever made a test； under circumstances identical with the circumstances surrounding the murder of Edward Norton； to determine if you could recognize persons in the room where Edward Norton was murdered。〃
〃Yes；〃 said Don Graves； 〃I was asked that question。〃
〃Since that question was asked you；〃 persisted Claude Drumm； 〃have you made such a test under exactly identical circumstances？〃
〃I have；〃 said Don Graves。
〃Describe the circumstances under which that test was conducted； and the result of it；〃 said Claude Drumm。
〃The test was made at night；〃 said Don Graves slowly； and in a low tone of voice； while spectators held their breath。 〃There were three men in Edward Norton's study and two women。 One of the women was dressed in