"What pocket?"
"The lower right-hand one, the one where a gentleman usually carries a pen, knife, or pencil."
"What has happened to it? How could a pocket be lost from a vest?"
"It has been cut out."
"Cut out!"
"Yes, sir; we found an open knife lying on the dresser, and if you will look again at the vest you will see that the missing pocket was slit from it with a very hasty jerk."
"I avow——" shouted the voice of the owner from the seats behind.
But the infuriated man who thus attempted to speak was quickly silenced.
"You will be allowed to explain later," remonstrated the coroner. "At present we are listening to Mr. Sweetwater. Witness, what course did you pursue after coming upon this vest?"
"I endeavoured to ascertain if its owner had gone into his dressing-room after coming up from the room below."