“There was only one thing that could have happened to it,” Mason said. “It missed Gilly when he stumbled forward, probably missing him by a scant half-inch, went past his head and out through the open door of the cabin. Remember that Gilly had been raising the anchor, that he had the motor started, that he threw the clutch into gear as he started back and then entered the cabin. The side door must have been open. The bullet Mrs Bancroft fired must have gone through that door.”
Judge Hobart frowned thoughtfully. “This has been a most interesting and a most significant case,” he said. “The defendant is to be congratulated upon the strategy by which her counsel trapped the real murderer.
“Now may I ask, as a matter of information, whether it is true that the witness, Drew Kirby, was mistaken as to the identity of the man who was with Mrs Bancroft earlier on the evening of the tenth?”
“He was mistaken,” Mason said, “and that person was actually Irwin Victor Fordyce.”
“And what has happened to Fordyce?” Judge Hobart asked.
“He was either murdered,” Mason said, “or he has seen fit to disappear in order to keep himself out of circulation.”
Harlow Bancroft arose. “May I make a statement, if the Court please?”
“Go ahead,” Judge Hobart said.
“I think Irwin Fordyce disappeared because he knew the police were looking for him in connection with a service station holdup. I think he felt that he had two strikes against him because of a previous conviction.
“I want to take this opportunity to state publicly that we can all of us make mistakes. I have made my own mistakes. At one time in my irresponsible youth, I stole an automobile and served a term in the penitentiary for stealing that automobile. I have since lived that down and tried to make good. I want to state publicly here and now that if Irwin Fordyce will surrender himself I will see to it that he has a fair trial and the best legal brains that money can buy. I will pay Mr Mason’s fee to defend him, and if he is guilty of the service station holdup, he has to pay the penalty. If he isn’t guilty of the service station holdup, I am going to see that he is acquitted and if he is acquitted I am going to see that he has a responsible position in one of my companies and that he has an opportunity to work up.”
Newspaper photographers crowded forward with flashguns blazing intermittently.
Judge Hobart smiled slightly and said, “I am glad you made that statement, Mr Bancroft. That was spoken like a man and I feel certain that in the years to come you will be glad you have said what you have just stated.
“And as far as your comments about the best legal brains that money can buy, I think the outcome of this case speaks for itself.
“The defendant is released from custody. Mr Kelsey is in the hands of the sheriff. The Court will impound this money found on him as evidence and court is now adjourned.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Mason, Della Street, Paul Drake, Harlow Bancroft, Phyllis Bancroft and Rosena Andrews gathered in Mason’s office.
Mrs Bancroft said tearfully, “I can’t ever tell you how much what you have done means to me, Mr Mason.”
Bancroft, pulling out a chequebook, said, “I can’t tell you in words but I am going to try and write it on a cheque.”
Mason said, “I am glad, Bancroft, that you had the nerve, the decision and the manhood to stand up and make the statement you did in open court. You will find now that life is a lot better and a lot more livable as far as you are concerned.”
Mason came around the desk. “I am going to shake hands with you,” he said. “It is a pleasure to shake hands with a real man.”
The lawyer shook hands with Bancroft.
Rosena impulsively kissed the lawyer and then Phyllis Bancroft kissed him on the other cheek.
Mason, with lipstick on both cheeks, glanced with a smile at Della Street.
Della gently pursed her lips.
“We may as well make it unanimous,” she said.