An instance of such a
case was that of Albert T. Patrick, for without the testimony
of his alleged accomplice--the valet, Jones--he could not have
been convicted of murder. The preservation of such a witness
and his testimony thus becomes of paramount importance, and
rascally witnesses sometimes enjoy considerable ease, if not
luxury, at the expense of the public while waiting to testify.
Often, too, a case of great interest will arise where the
question of the guilt of the accused turns upon the evidence
of some one person who, either from mercenary motives or
because of "blood and affection," is unwilling to come to the
fore and tell the truth. A striking case of this sort
occurred some ten years ago. The "black sheep" of a prominent
New York family forged the name of his sister to a draft for
thirty thousand dollars. This sister, who was an elderly
woman of the highest character and refinement, did not care to
pocket the loss herself and declined to have the draft debited
to her account at the bank.
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