The Judge again intervened: �Try to tell us exactly what happened. How long did you remain at the foot of the stairs?�

�Only a few minutes.�

�And what was going on meanwhile overhead?�

�The dogs kept on snarling and panting. Once or twice he cried out. I think he moaned once. Then he was quiet.�

�Then what happened?�

�Then I heard a sound like the noise of a pack when the wolf is thrown to them—gulping and lapping.�

(There was a groan of disgust and repulsion through the court, and another attempted intervention by the distracted lawyer. But the inquisitive Judge was still inquisitive.)

�And all the while you did not go up?�

�Yes—I went up then—to drive them off.�

�The dogs?�