‘Yes. My lord, may I say——’
‘No!’ snapped the judge. ‘Say nothing unless you’re asked.’
The witness looked angry, and frowned savagely at his counsel. But the latter had now sat down, and the cross-examination was about to begin.
Tressamer had been studying the witness, with a view of ascertaining his weak point. This was evidently his temper. Accordingly he avoided irritating him till he had obtained as much as he could from him. He began:
‘Had you any other relatives living besides Miss Lewis?’
The witness was thoroughly thrown out. He could not see what was coming. In a sullen voice he responded:
‘Yes, I’ve a sister in the North.’
‘Did you go to see her before your aunt?’
‘No.—My lord, may I explain?’