The Coroner: "Not entirely. You are a witness in this case, and are here both as an official and a private citizen. If you have an objection to answer the question I will not press it; but I would point out to you that your refusal may leave an unfavourable impression on the minds of the jury."
Inspector Robson (after a pause): "Will you put the question in more direct terms, Mr. Coroner? I would prefer my private affairs not being imported into this case, but I should be sorry to lay myself open to misconstruction."
The Coroner: "In plainer terms, then, is there any relationship between you and the deceased?"
Inspector Robson: "He is my son-in-law's father."
The Coroner: "You were, of course, aware of this when Mrs. Abel Death reported the disappearance of her husband?"
Inspector Robson: "No, Mr. Coroner, I was not aware of it."
The Coroner: "Was the marriage between your daughter and Mr. Reginald Boyd quite recent?"
Inspector Robson (with evident reluctance): "No, they have been married two months."
The Coroner: "There is a strange discrepancy here. How could you have been ignorant of the relationship when Mrs. Death came to the Bishop Street Police Station?"
Inspector Robson: "At that time I did not know that my daughter was married. As what passes in this court will be reported in the newspapers, I wish to add that no blame attaches either to her or her husband, for whom my wife and myself have the highest regard."