The reading made a profound impression. The prosecution, having
succeeded in having the log admitted as evidence, had put a trump
card in the hands of the defense.
"What were the relations between Mr. Turner and the captain?"
"I don't know what you mean."
"Were they friendly?"
"No--not very."
"Did you overhear, on the night of August 9, a conversation between
Mr. Turner and Mr. Vail?"
"Yes."
"What was its nature?"
"They were quarreling."
"What did Williams, the butler, give you to hide, that night?"
"Mr. Turner's revolver."
"What did he say when he gave it to you?"
"He--said to throw it overboard or there would be trouble."
"Mrs. Sloane, do you recognize these two garments?"
He held up a man's dinner shirt and a white waistcoat. The
stewardess, who had been calm enough, started and paled.
"I cannot tell without examining them." (They were given to her,
and she looked at them.) "Yes, I have seen them."
"What are they?"
"A shirt and waistcoat of Mr. Turner's."
"When did you see them last?"
"I packed them in my trunk when we left the boat. They had been
forgotten when the other trunks were packed."
"Had you washed them?"
"No."
"Were they washed on shipboard?"
"They look like it. They have not been ironed."
"Who gave them to you to pack in your trunk?"
"Mrs. Johns."
"What did you do with them on reaching New York?"
"I left them in my trunk."
"Why did you not return them to Mr. Turner?"
"I was ill, and forgot. I'd like to know what right you have going
through a person's things--and taking what you want!"
The stewardess was excused, the defense having scored perceptibly.
It was clear what line the young Jew intended to follow.
Oleson, the Swede, was called next, and after the usual formalities:-"Where were you between midnight and 4 A.M. on the morning of
August 12?"
"In the crow's-nest of the Ella."
"State what you saw between midnight and one o'clock."
"I saw Mate Singleton walking on the forecastle-head. Every now
and then he went to the rail. He seemed to be vomiting. It was
too dark to see much. Then he went aft along the port side of the
house, and came forward again on the starboard side. He went to
where the axe was kept."
"Where was that?"
"Near the starboard corner of the forward house. All the Turner
boats have an emergency box, with an axe and other tools, in easy
reach. The officer on watch carried the key."
"Could you see what he was doing?"
"No; but he was fumbling at the box. I heard him."
"Where did he go after that?"
"He went aft."
"You could not see him?"