One by one the prisoners' names were called. One by one the prisoners answered.
Then counsel for the Crown stood up, and having stated that the charge against the prisoners was that of stealing a Report, the property of Lord Lothersdale, he opened his case and called the first witness—Mr. Bower.
Mr. Bower entered the box, and adjusted his pince-nez with extreme nicety. Under counsel's lead he detailed how the so-called Sinnott had introduced himself.
"I had no doubt at all as to his bona fides," said the tailor, lingering lovingly over the Latin words; "but immediately afterwards I had a wire from Moors asking me to postpone my visit to his lordship. I rang up Scotland Yard to inform Mr. Sinnott of the alteration, and learnt that he was unknown there. Then I informed the authorities of the whole matter, with the result that our original intention was followed, and every facility allowed to Mr. Sinnott for carry out his plans."
"Done! By Jove!" gasped Eyre.
Lord Lothersdale's secretary then gave evidence that the Report now produced in court was the property of his lordship.
"Of course," he added smilingly, "the real Report is still at Moors. This one, though signed for the present purpose by Lord Lothersdale, has no value. It was drawn up three years ago by a former Secretary of State for War," he explained.
Then there was formal evidence of the arrest from Mr. Marvell, who was allowed to speak at length.