But Perkins had sprung to his feet. “Your lordship,” he exclaimed, “I submit that this is very remarkable evidence. The Crown has built up a complete and logical case, entirely free from dime novel effects, but if this testimony is to be credited the structure so carefully built by the prosecution falls to the ground. It is easy for the witness to make these statements, absurd as they are on the face of it, but it is impossible for the Crown to disprove them. I ask that the evidence be not admitted.”
“Unless supported by confirmatory evidence,” added the judge.
“Unless supported by confirmatory evidence,” agreed Mr. Perkins.
Excitement was now intense. All eyes, by one accord, had turned to Gardiner. He sat in his chair as white as chalk, and apparently on the verge of nervous collapse.
“I have provided for the point raised by the Crown prosecutor,” continued Miss Landin, quite unruffled by the remarks of Mr. Perkins. “I examined the package, which I have identified. I then broke the two wax seals and opened the envelope. I counted the money. There were two hundred ten dollar bills, all on the same bank, new and apparently unused. The serial numbers began with B-323001 and ran to B-323200. It will be found that the package now exhibited is one bill short, and that the missing bill is B-323005. I now produce the missing bill, which I took from the package at that time, and place it in evidence.” So saying she drew from her purse a bright new ten dollar bill, which she handed to the clerk. “Number B-323005,” she said.
“Correct,” said the clerk, when he had examined the bill.
“I then,” continued Miss Landin, “replaced the package in the trunk and awaited developments. I had not long to wait. Mr. Gardiner, Mr. Graves and Mr. Burton appeared in the hall in a few minutes. They entered Mr. Burton’s room, and Mr. Graves found the package in the trunk. I watched them through the crack of the door, and did not fail to notice Mr. Gardiner’s agitation when he discovered the package had been opened. I subsequently told Mr. Graves that I had been a witness to what occurred in the room, and he thought it would be a good thing to have me appear here and give evidence. This I have done.”