"Noo, then, as ye are here, me laird, we may as weel proceed wi' the investigation."
"I beg your pardon, sir; I am expecting my counsel," said the viscount.
"Aweel! I suppose we maun wait a bit," said the magistrate.
But at this moment the counsel for the prisoner hurried into the office.
"We have waited for you, Mr. Bruce," said the viscount reproachfully.
"I am very sorry that you should have been obliged to do so, my lord! But the truth is, I have been to the telegraph office, to send a message of inquiry at the last moment to your lordship's London bankers, to ask if the Earl of Hurstmonceux had yet been heard from. I waited for the answer, which has but just arrived, and which has proved unsatisfactory."
"The earl has not written to his London bankers, then?"
"No, my lord."
"Are you ready for the examination?"
"Quite, my lord."