Mr. Lewis was getting irritated again. He made no answer to this suggestion, and the barrister forbore to press it, contenting himself with a meaning glance at the jury.
‘You were represented at the inquest, were you not, by Messrs. Pollard?’
‘Yes.’
‘The gentlemen who are now conducting this prosecution—nominally on behalf of the Crown?’ And with this parting shot he resumed his seat.
Young Pollard instantly rose.
‘My lord, the witness was anxious to explain one of his answers to my learned friend. Would your lordship allow him to do so now?’
‘Yes, yes,’ was his lordship’s answer.
The witness instantly took advantage of the permission.
‘I wished to say, my lord, that the reason why I went first to see my aunt, instead of going to my sister’s, was because she had befriended me when I was young. She furnished the money to start me with in Australia, and I felt it only right, in common gratitude, to come straight and thank her on my return.’
Another revulsion of feeling swept over the court. The effect of Tressamer’s last suggestion was obliterated. Lewis was once more in favour.