Called a Liar

"A fascinating tale," the prosecutor drawled as he exchanged places with my barrister. "But I should expect that from a wordsmith like yourself. You have quite the talent for spinning material out of very thin cloth." He waved a copy of "A Study in Scarlet" before me. "This effort includes several unlikely assertions."

"What I witnessed I reported as accurately as discretion would allow."

"And the American section?"

"Pure fiction," I allowed, "but my editors wanted it."

"Then you can lie upon request!" He pounced like a cat after a mouse.

"Not well," I said wryly. "Have you read it?"

Called a Liar

"A fascinating tale," the prosecutor drawled as he exchanged places with my barrister. "But I should expect that from a wordsmith like yourself. You have quite the talent for spinning material out of very thin cloth." He waved a copy of "A Study in Scarlet" before me. "This effort includes several unlikely assertions."

"What I witnessed I reported as accurately as discretion would allow."

"And the American section?"

"Pure fiction," I allowed, "but my editors wanted it."

"Then you can lie upon request!" He pounced like a cat after a mouse.

"Not well," I said wryly. "Have you read it?"

Catcalls

The laughter which swept around the room was countered by a swell of angry exclamations from the gallery, and it was some time before order could be restored. Indeed, until one of the more malevolent hecklers found himself bracketed by constabulary blue there was little chance of anyone else being heard. His threats made little difference to me, but Mary put her arm around Mrs. Hudson protectively. I endured the lecture from the judge on the folly of treating my situation lightly, but it was Mary's pale face which made me resolve to put a firmer rein upon my tongue.

Catcalls

The laughter which swept around the room was countered by a swell of angry exclamations from the gallery, and it was some time before order could be restored. Indeed, until one of the more malevolent hecklers found himself bracketed by constabulary blue there was little chance of anyone else being heard. His threats made little difference to me, but Mary put her arm around Mrs. Hudson protectively. I endured the lecture from the judge on the folly of treating my situation lightly, but it was Mary's pale face which made me resolve to put a firmer rein upon my tongue.

Calling Upon Patience

The cross-examination continued, and the difficulty of keeping my temper was further complicated by my deepening weariness. No, I had not conspired with anyone. No, I had not heard of Merridew before that day. No, I had not held the revolver. Yes, I had sent Mrs. Hudson away, but no, it was not to clear the house of witnesses. Yes, I had used the acid, but no, I had not done so out of spite. Yes, I had Sherlock Holmes under my care; no, he could not leave his bed. It was impossible.


"Not impossible, old fellow, but distinctly inconvenient."

Calling Upon Patience

The cross-examination continued, and the difficulty of keeping my temper was further complicated by my deepening weariness. No, I had not conspired with anyone. No, I had not heard of Merridew before that day. No, I had not held the revolver. Yes, I had sent Mrs. Hudson away, but no, it was not to clear the house of witnesses. Yes, I had used the acid, but no, I had not done so out of spite. Yes, I had Sherlock Holmes under my care; no, he could not leave his bed. It was impossible.


"Not impossible, old fellow, but distinctly inconvenient."