Unless the Court and
the jury are accustomed to the use of a glass, and to examinations of
this particular character, they will hardly be able to see just what I
describe, but I have an experiment which will convince them that I am
right."
"Can you perform this experiment here, and now?"
"I can, sir, provided the Court will permit me to establish the
necessary conditions. I must darken the room, and as I notice that the
windows are all furnished with shutters, the matter may be very quickly
and easily accomplished."
"Will you describe the nature of your experiment?"
"Well, sir, during the recess of the Court, I have had photographed upon
glass all the signatures. These, with the aid of a solar microscope, I
can project upon the wall behind the jury, immensely enlarged, so that
the peculiarities I have described may be detected by every eye in the
house, with others, probably, if the sun remains bright and strong, that
I have not alluded to."
"The experiment will be permitted," said the judge, "and the officers
and the janitor will give the Professor all the assistance he needs."
Gradually, as the shutters were closed, the room grew dark, and the
faces of Judge, Jury and the anxious-looking parties within the bar grew
weird and wan among the shadows.
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