10 EXT. TOWN SQUARE - DAY 10
NELLIE SIMPSON
Oh please, this is absolutely dreadful!
But, do go on.
The crowd is totally engrossed by the description as Clarence
continues to read.
CLARENCE COFRAN
"A post mortem examination was made by
Drs. B. H. Phillips, Geo. H. Larabee and
C. F. Hildreth. Severe blows were found
on each side of the head, and the right
hand had evidently been thrown up to ward
off a blow, as three of the bones of the
hand were broken, and also the thumb.
There were cuts on the side of the head,
near the top, and also on the left cheek.
The print of a boot heel was also
distinctly found on the right cheek and a
cast of it taken.
The head was severed from the body
between the first and second vertebrae,
and must have been done when she was
alive and with a sharp instrument.
HATTIE WARREN
What say it about the arrest?
CLARENCE COFRAN
Well,…
MISS BELLE LAKE, briskly APPROACHES the crowd.
MISS BELLE LAKE
Halloo! I can tell you all you need to
know.
FLORA STEVENS
(Sarcastically)
Well, well if it isn't Miss Belle Lake.
MISS BELLE LAKE
I was at the Langmaid residence all last
evening and I gave testimony this very
morning before the Coroner's jury. I know
who killed her. I even witnessed when it
all started.
The crowd is awed and many people encourage her to tell more.
CLARENCE COFRAN
(inquisitively)
You saw the murder?
MISS BELLE LAKE
Well close
NELLIE SIMPSON
For Heaven's sake, Belle, what exactly
did you witness?
MISS BELLE LAKE
(confidently)
One afternoon June last, I was walking
from Mr. Sullivan's down the main street
of Suncook, on my way to Mr. Emery's
store. Saw in front of me, it being then
almost dusk, and six rods or more ahead
of me, a young woman whom I thought to be
Josie Locke, of Suncook
She stares into the distance as if she remembers something
else
CAPITOLA SAWYER
Well Belle, do go on. Was it she?
MISS BELLE LAKE
Oh my, as I was saying, I said halloo,
Josie. She said halloo and she looking
round, I saw it was Josie Langmaid and we
went along talking.
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