"Yes, sir," replied poor Tom, hanging his head.
"You would swear to it again?"
Tom looked round helplessly.
"You would swear to it again?" repeated Garden.
"No, I wouldn't," said Tom savagely.
"You would, Tom, because it is the truth; and if I am on the right tack, only the truth will serve us. Now, although you were not in court during the whole of the trial, you read the report of it in the papers?"
"I did, sir."
"Clear your mind, Tom, and bend it on what I am about to ask you. In reading the report of the trial, did anything particular strike you?"
"It was full of lies, sir."
"I am sure of that. But anything very special"—and here Garden's voice trembled slightly, as though he were approaching a crucial test—"say as to the colour of dresses? Think, Tom."