The butler, a good-natured-looking man, with a pleasant smile, but whose mind was evidently rather unhinged by the position he found himself in, looked bewildered at this, and rather frightened. The barrister hastened to reassure him.
‘What I mean is this. If you had been out some time during the evening, before half-past ten, would it not have been possible for you to have accidentally left the latch in this position?’
The witness looked relieved, and hastened to answer.
‘Yes, of course, I might have.’
Tressamer turned round to the jury to see if they appreciated his point. Then he resumed.
‘You have known Miss Owen some time, I think. Tell me, have you ever noticed that she was liable to nervous headaches?’
‘I have heard her say she had a headache.’
‘What was the last time you heard her say so?’
The witness looked puzzled, and seemed to be trying to remember.
‘Perhaps I can help you,’ said the barrister. ‘About this very time, now; just before this happened?’