"No," replied the witness slowly. "He did not frighten me, but I was concerned about him. He certainly looked ill, and I thought he seemed a little strange."
"As though he had something on his mind?" suggested Sir Herbert.
"Yes," assented the witness.
"Were you aware that the accused, when he went to see you at your aunt's home before he departed for Norfolk, was very short of money?"
"I was not. If I had known——"
"You would have helped him—is that what you were going to say?" asked Mr. Middleheath, as Sir Herbert resumed his seat without pursuing the point.
"My aunt would have helped Mr. Penreath if she had known he was in monetary difficulties."
"Thank you." Mr. Middleheath sat down, pulling his gown over his shoulders.
The witness was leaving the stand when the sharp authoritative voice of the judge stopped her.
"Wait a minute, please, I want to get this a little clearer. You said you were aware that the accused was discharged from the Army suffering from shell-shock. Did he tell you so himself?"