Mr. Chesterton: The other question I want to ask you is this: When you told Mr. Drood that “Ned” was a threatened name, what did Mr. Drood say?

Witness: He says, “But threatened men live long.”

Mr. Chesterton: What did you say?

Witness: “Then,” I says to him, “Ned, so threatened is he, whoever he be, while I’m a talking to you, that he should live to all eternity.”

Mr. Chesterton: Thank you. Call Thomas Bazzard.

Usher: Thomas Bazzard!

[That gentleman entered the witness-box and was duly sworn.]

[Evidence of Thomas Bazzard.]

Mr. Chesterton: Your name is Thomas Bazzard?

Witness: Yes.