Trial of John Jasper, lay precentor of Cloisterham Cathedral in the County of Kent, for the murder of Edwin Drood, engineer

by England) Dickens Fellowship (London

Mr. Chesterton: Were not people present?

Witness: Not all the time. Only part of the time.

Mr. Chesterton: They retired simultaneously?

Witness: No; there were not many there when I went in. Some left at once; some finished their dinners and went away.

Mr. Chesterton: And the fortunate moment arrived when you could pour out the sherry?

Witness: There are such things as fortunate moments.

Mr. Chesterton: Your taste in food and drink interests me a little. I shall return to the Crozier. But later on, when staying at Tope’s, you used to have an evening meal prepared for you, consisting of bread and cheese and salad and ale?

Witness: Yes.

Mr. Chesterton: Was that the sort of meal you were accustomed to at Miss Twinkleton’s?

Witness: But, you see, I was not at Miss Twinkleton’s.