"I have."
"You have been in the habit of receiving gentlemen rather indiscriminately at your house, haven't you?"
"I object to the question," said Mr. Balfour quickly. "It carries a covert insult to the witness."
Mrs. Dillingham bowed to Mr. Balfour in acknowledgment of his courtesy, but answered the question. "I have received you, sir, and Mr. Belcher. I may have been indiscriminate in my courtesies. A lady living alone cannot always tell."
A titter ran around the court-room, in which Mr. Belcher joined. His admiration was too much at the moment for his self-interest.
"Did you know before you went to Number Nine, that your brother was there?" inquired Mr. Cavendish.
"I did, and the last time but one at which Mr. Belcher called upon me I informed him of the fact."
"That your brother was there?"
"No, that Paul Benedict was there."
"How did you know he was there?"