Dr. Bensford, an analytical chemist and lecturer at the Waterloo Hospital, stated that he was instructed by the Home Secretary to make an examination of the marks upon the knife in question, now produced, and had arrived at the conclusion that they were the stains of human blood. (Great sensation in Court.)
So overwhelming was the shock to Godfrey, that for a moment he neither heard nor saw anything. A ghastly faintness was stealing over him and the Court swam before his eyes. With a mighty effort, however, he pulled himself together and once more faced the Court. He looked at Sir Vivian and saw that the baronet’s face had suddenly become very pale.
“Good Heavens!” he thought to himself, “will he suspect me also?”
The analyst having left the box, Victor Fensden was recalled, and the knife handed to him. He took it in his daintily gloved hand and examined it carefully.
“Have you ever seen that knife before?” asked the prosecution.
Victor hesitated a moment before he replied.
“No,” he answered, as if with an effort.
“Think again,” said his examiner. “Remember that this is a court of justice, and it behooves you to speak the truth. Where did you see that knife before?”
Once more Victor hesitated. Then in a somewhat louder voice he said:
“In Egypt. In Cairo.”