The Hermit of Turkey Hollow; The Story of an Alibi, Being an Exploit of Ephraim Tutt, Attorney & Counselor at Law

by Arthur Cheney Train

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1921 edition. Excerpt: ... ness for the prosecution it would not be quite proper for me to talk to him. Do you think it would be possible for you to casually ascertain from him a little more fully what he knows about the hour of the murder?" "Well "hesitated the sheriff. "But you're a sacred camel," urged Mr. Tutt. The fact that Emerson also was a camel and that all camels are proverbially thirsty animals may have accounted for Squire Mason's failure to learn of the lost witness' reappearance before court opened. While the worthy Hezekiah during the progress of the trial had at times felt momentary twinges of apprehension--not, of conscience--but lest his motives and conduct of the prosecution should be impugned, he now felt secure. The only person in the world--as he thought--whose testimony could possibly subject him to censure had providentially absented himself. It made no difference whether Skinny took the stand or stayed off it. His denial wouldn't affect the strength of the case in any way, --would amount to nothing in view of the blood on his hands, the marks of his shoes, the pipe, the twenty five-dollar gold pieces and the fact that Emerson had trailed him straight to Pottsville within fifteen minutes. So the Squire felt pretty fine and the dome on the Capitol at Albany shone brightly and near at hand. He had old Tutt down and out! Even the New York papers would probably carry a big story about the conviction. In the background of his crafty mind lurked, as well, the realization that in case of a conviction there would be no one to demand the payment of Skinny's semiannual interest. So the Hon. Hezekiah strolled back into the court room, picking his teeth with a good deal of satisfaction. It was jammed as usual, --the audience breathlessly awaiting the...

38 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1921

About the author

Arthur Cheney Train (1875-1945) was an American lawyer and legal thriller writer, particularly known for his novels of courtroom intrigue and the creation of the fictional lawyer Mr. Ephraim Tutt. In 1919, he created the popular character of Mr. Ephraim Tutt, a wiley old lawyer who supported the common man and always had a trick up his sleeve to right the law's injustices. He also coauthored the science fiction novel The Man Who Rocked the Earth (1915) with eminent physicist Robert W. Wood. After 1922, Train devoted himself to writing. His works include: The "Goldfish" (1914), Tutt and Mr. Tutt (1919) and By Advice of Counsel (1921). Robert Williams Wood (1868-1955) was an American physicist. He was a careful experimenter known for his many contributions to optics including infrared and ultraviolet photography, and the liquid mirror telescope. He was also a writer of science fiction and nonsense verse. He also authored non-technical works. In 1915, Wood co-authored a science fiction novel, The Man Who Rocked the Earth, with Arthur Train. He also wrote and illustrated a book of nonsense verse, How to Tell the Birds from the Flowers.

Reviews

[Mh430 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third installment in the Ephraim Tutt saga is the longest entry to date, although it still really is more a novella than a full-fledged book. Here the senior partner of the Tutt & Tutt law firm leaves Manhattan for a sleepy Hamlet in upstate New York. The simple-minded town derelict has been accused of murder and his conviction appears to be a foregone conclusion to practically everyone. Everyone that is except our hero Ephraim. Even though E. Tutt is described as the terror of the police courts fifty years back, he shows great vigor and determination here in the defense of his client. Which makes for some very entertaining reading. Recommended.