As Tempest took a pen-knife from his pocket and cut the sealed string, there was a dramatic pause, and the court hushed into breathless silence. One could hear the wax breaking as the string was cut; and Lady Rellingham, gripping the rail of the witness-box, gasped towards her solicitor, “I withdraw! I withdraw!”
“Then, my lord, I ask you to order the arrest of the witness.”
“On what ground, Mr. Tempest?”
“Perjury, my lord, at least.”
“But you haven’t proved that her evidence is incorrect?”
“I take it, my lord, that her withdrawal is tantamount to such an admission.”
Mr. Clutch hurriedly passed to the witness-box and urged his client not to withdraw.
Tempest’s voice was clear above the racket and bustle in the court. “I object to anyone tampering with the witness.”
“‘I object to anyone tampering with the witness’”