"Phipps, did you ever see this paper before?"
"Yes, sir."
"Now, think hard—don't be in a hurry—and tell me when you saw it before. Take it in your hand, and look it all over, and be sure."
"I can't tell, exactly," responded Phipps, scratching his had; "but I should think it might have been six years ago, or more. It was a long time before we came from Sevenoaks."
"Very well; is that your signature?"
"It is, sir."
"Did you see Benedict write his name? Did you see Johnson and Ramsey write their names?"
"I did, sir."
"Do you remember all the circumstances—what I said to you, and what you said to me—why you were in the room?"
"Yes, sir."