THE ART OF CROSS-EXAMINATION
Smith. "I say that I do not recollect it. If I could see any document on the subject, I daresay I should remember it."
Attorney-General. "Do you remember getting a £5 note for attesting an assignment by Walter Palmer to his brother of such a policy?"
Smith. "Perhaps I might. I don't recollect positively."
Attorney-General (handing a document to witness). "Is that your signature?"
Smith. "It is very like my signature."
Attorney-General. "Have you any doubt about it?"
Smith (after considerable hesitation). "I have some doubt."
Attorney-General. "Read the document, and tell me, on your oath, whether it is your signature."
Smith. "I have some doubt whether it is mine."
Attorney-General. "Read the document, sir. Was it prepared in your office?"
Smith. "It was not."
Attorney-General. "I will have an answer from you on your oath one way or another. Isn't that your handwriting?"
Smith. "I believe that it is not my handwriting. I think that it is a very clever imitation of it."
Attorney-General. "Will you swear that it is not?"
Smith. "I will. I think that it is a very good imitation of my handwriting."
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