"I'm not going to say that, either!"
"Did your husband—who, I believe, is one of the Town Trustees—did he know of your visit to Dr. Wellesley's house on this particular occasion?"
"I'll answer that! He did not."
"Where was he, while you were at Dr. Wellesley's? Had you left him at home?"
"No, he had gone out before I went out myself. As to where he was, I should say he was either at the Conservative Club or at Mr. Simon Crood's. Is it relevant?"
Amidst a ripple of laughter Meeking made a gesture which signified that he had done with Mrs. Mallett, and she presently stepped down from the witness-box. Meeking turned to the Coroner.
"I want to have Dr. Wellesley in that box again, sir," he said.
"Let Dr. Wellesley be recalled," commanded the Coroner.
Wellesley, once more in the full gaze of the court, looked vexed and impatient. Those who had occasionally glanced at him while Mrs. Mallett was giving her evidence had observed that he showed signs of being by no means pleased at the turn things had taken since her sudden intervention—sometimes he had frowned; once or twice he had muttered to himself. And he now looked blackly at Meeking as the barrister once more confronted him.
"You have heard the evidence of the last witness?" asked Meeking abruptly.