“May I ask, your worship, whether it is in order that these witnesses should read their evidence?” asked Mr. Jones.
“Why not?” queried the Magistrate. “We desire the exact facts, do we not?”
“We do. Possibly Mr. Jones does not,” said the prosecuting solicitor.
“It is clearly a method of securing that the evidence of these two witnesses shall be in accord,” said Jones. “I submit that these accounts are carefully prepared and collated.”
“Naturally, the police prepare their case,” said the Magistrate. “I do not see that you have any grievance, Mr. Jones. Now, witness, let us hear your evidence.”
It followed on the exact lines of the other.
“You asked questions about your fiancé? You had no fiancé,” said Mr. Jones.
“That is so.”
“In fact, you both told a long sequence of lies?”
“With a good object in view.”