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THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT
estimates of Mr. Watson's personal character. Proceed with your story."
Sol Witberg would have bitten his bruised and swollen lip in chagrin, had it not hurt so much. But he contained himself and told a simple, straightforward, truthful story.
"Your Honor," Watson said, "I would suggest that you ask him what he was doing on my premises."
"A very good question. What were you doing, sir, on Mr. Watson's premises?"
"I did not know they were his premises."
"It was a trespass, your Honor," Watson cried. "The warnings are posted conspicuously."
"I saw no warnings," said Sol Witberg.
"I have seen them myself," snapped the Justice. "They are very conspicuous. And I would warn you, sir, that if you palter with the truth in such little matters you may darken your more important statements with suspicion. Why did you strike Mr. Watson?"
"Your Honor, as I have testified, I did not strike a blow."
The Justice looked at Carter Watson's bruised and swollen visage, and turned to glare at Sol Witberg.
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