Meeking nodded to his witness, signifying that he had no more to ask, but before Owthwaite could leave the box, Stedman, the local solicitor with whom Simon Crood had held a whispered conversation on coming into court, rose and began to cross-examine him.
"Did you happen to be in Green & Polford's shop—the front shop, I mean—when Alderman Crood brought in that machine?" he asked.
"I was there at the time, sir," replied Owthwaite.
"Did he come quite openly?"
"Yes, sir. In a cab, as a matter of fact. The cabman carried in the machine."
"Did Alderman Crood say who he was?"
"Well, sir, to be exact, he saw me as soon as he came in, and recognized me. He said, 'Oh, a Hathelsborough lad, I see? You'll know me, young man.' Then he told Mr. Jeaveson and myself what he wanted."
"The whole business was quite open and above-board, then?"
"Quite so, sir."