He related in quiet words what he knew about the accused, and described his character; he also mentioned that he had felt a sort of inner resemblance between them.
When he said that, a murmur went through the court, the jury let the bits of paper fall, and two or three penknives were shut noisily.
“What happened when Mr. Douglas and your father fell out?” asked the president.
“I cannot tell you that,” he answered, in a firm voice.
“Why not?”
“I should have to speak ill of my father,” he answered.
“What does ill mean?” asked the president. “Do you mean to imply that you fear to expose your father to punishment by law?”
“Yes,” he answered, softly.
Again the same murmur went through the court, and behind his back he heard the voice of his father hissing, “The degenerate rascal!” But he did not allow himself to be confused by that.
“The law permits you in such cases to refuse to make a statement,” the president continued. “But what happened that made your father turn against Raudszus?”