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Daniel had to make his decision immediately. He had two more witnesses to call, although one of them might be enough, if he chose the right one. He knew what had happened, at least he thought he did. Proving it was another thing. If he misjudged it and failed now, there would not be another chance. Sidney was here in the courtroom and had heard everything. Did he at last understand? He must be allowed his chance to speak for himself.
On the other hand, Armitage was waiting outside to be called, if it all fell into place…
“Mr. Pitt!” the judge repeated.
“Yes, Your Honor. I call Sir John Armitage to the stand.” The decision was made. Please heaven, it was the right one!
The judge looked exasperated. “Mr. Pitt, my patience is not endless, and you have tried it further than most. I hope you know what you are doing!”
“Yes, sir,” Daniel replied. He hoped more than anyone else that, indeed, he did. They all seemed to be here. His parents, Patrick and Jemima, Miriam, all those he cared about. This was going to be a triumph…or a disaster. He could feel his heart beating, as if it were trying to break out of his chest.
CHAPTER
Twenty-six
SIR JOHN ARMITAGE was called and took the stand. Daniel knew he had to be quick. If he did not prove his case and the judge adjourned for the evening, tomorrow would be too late. If it were forced upon him, he must at least leave it at the point where Armitage could not escape without damning himself!
Now the courtroom was full of people who were involved, but it was a one-to-one battle, too late for anyone else to help.
Daniel cleared his throat. He must keep Armitage on the wrong foot—always the wrong foot. “I believe you know the defendant, Philip Sidney,” he began. “You were the one who gave him his opportunity to work in the British Embassy in Washington. Was that because you were acquainted with his mother?” He was deliberately handing him an opportunity to rake up the petty weaknesses or offenses Sidney might have committed in his youth. Please God he took it! It was bait, to prove he knew Sidney and had for years. And, therefore, possibly knew May Trelawny and the island.
The jury looked puzzled, the judge impatient. He was about to speak, but Daniel refused to look at him. “Sir John?” he persisted.
“Yes, I knew her,” Armitage replied. “Mrs. Sidney was a delightful woman, and devoted to her son. I imagined I was doing her a favor. I had no idea of his…weakness.”
“Do you have a specific weakness in mind, sir?”
“Gambling,” Armitage answered. “I know that is at the root of it all. It is, in itself, not a sin, if it is kept in check. But he would not be the first young man, far from home and in an exciting world capital, who loses his sense of proportion.”
“I suppose not.” As soon as Daniel said the words, the last piece of the puzzle fell into place in his mind. “It would make a man extremely vulnerable to blackmail, I imagine—that is, if he lost consistently…and badly?”
“I’m afraid so,” Armitage agreed.
“And you have seen this?”
Armitage looked grave, a wise man observing the weakness of his inferiors.
“Yes, I tried to intervene, but I have only so much power. And my own very important job to do.”
“Of course. And you can only advise,” Daniel said sympathetically.
Hillyer shifted in his seat.
Kitteridge was sitting silently beside Daniel, but he was watching him with increasing concern.
“And had you any reason to believe that Philip Sidney was being blackmailed by anyone?” Daniel went on. “Increased anxiety, perhaps? An appeal for an advance in salary? Borrowing from other colleagues? Borrowing from funds and then resorting to more desperate means when he could not repay?”
“I see you understand the path downward very well,” Armitage replied. “You have seen it before, perhaps?”
“The end is predictable,” Daniel agreed.
There was a slight movement as Patrick Flannery came into the court. He held up a piece of paper and nodded at Daniel.
Daniel nodded back and turned again to Armitage. He said almost casually, “By the way, since you know Philip Sidney’s mother, perhaps you know May Trelawny as well? They were related, I understand, and quite close friends.” He smiled. “Sidney mentioned it to me.” He was waiting for an objection, but no one made it.
Armitage sat absolutely still. “We met once or twice,” he conceded.
“And you would, of course, know the Thorwoods,” Daniel continued. “I believe they are quite close friends of yours in Washington. It is part of your position to know the people of influence in that city?”
