Mr. Lutworthy: Yes, my lord, but it was late in the year. Towards September futures were quoted at less than the old “Charles Henry Agreement” rate—excluding freights. In 1900⸺
Mr. Gerald Balfour (anxiously): Would you mind repeating that last sentence?
Mr. Lutworthy (pleasantly): Let me make it perfectly clear. (The whole Committee here leant forward with the utmost attention.) Let us suppose this (taking up the Book on which he had been sworn) to be a king-bolt. Each king-bolt has at the centre what is known as a flange attachment, as might be this. (The witness then constructed a complicated thing out of a piece of paper lying near, and stuck it all round the Book.) Now, to attach the flange attachment so as to be attachable and detachable, it is necessary to—(here the witness looked all round the table anxiously)—Oh! yes. There; that will do!—(picking up a pencil)—to affix either to it or to its bevel a catch, as might be this pencil, so. (The witness here suited the action to the word.) Now, the Germans, instead of that, which is the right way, they drop the counter, lift the main-ratch, and so get all the head-gear into one piece. (Here the witness paused with a set, angry face; several people in the well of the Court cried “Shame!” and Mr. Balfour’s hand trembled. Then Mr. Lutworthy added in a shaking voice): One can do nothing against that kind of hitting below the belt.
Mr. Chamberlain: And you took that lying down!
Mr. Lutworthy (despairingly): I had to. What could I do? If the bevel had been galvanised or plated, or even treated with mercury in the original patent, I might have shifted the catch myself. But as it was—(fiercely)—Oh! how I have struggled!
Lord Lansdowne (in a deep voice): It is not for long!
The witness here stood down with a bowed head.
Mr. Chamberlain (briskly): Next!
Sir Charles Castlegate, introduced between two policemen, deposed that: As the results of his bankruptcy were still at issue, he must speak guardedly.