"You advised the deceased lady, probably, as to her duties as a dying woman?"
"Certainly."
"Duty to her husband—was that one?"
A slight hesitation in Mr. Faker revealed the vast amount of fraud of which he was capable. It was the smallest peephole, but I saw a good way. Till then there was nothing to cross-examine about, but after that hesitation there was £100,000 worth! He had betrayed himself. At last Faker said,—
"Yes, Mr. Hawkins; yes, sir—her duty to her husband."
"In the way of providing for him?" was my next question.
"Oh yes; quite so."
"You were careful, of course, as you told your learned counsel, to avoid any undue influence?"
"Certainly."
"The will was not completed, I think, when you first saw the dying woman—on the day, I mean, of her death?"