They may have been. I stood them drinks—if that be the correct expression. Not to excite suspicion, I even sipped a little here and there myself. I endeavoured to acquire the spirit of the place.
THEODORE TRAVERS.
From all accounts, you did so to a pretty considerable extent.
MR. BEN DIXON.
It was necessary to my purpose. I went from bar to bar accumulating material. The case was almost complete. Thinking I had had enough—done enough for one evening, I was about to leave when somebody—who said he was a friend of mine—suggested that we should go "behind the scenes." He introduced me to a not unprepossessing young woman, whom he described as the "Female Hercules." I was on the point of putting a few questions to her, when all of a sudden a strange feeling of dizziness came over me. To save myself from falling, I flung out my arms—as any man might have done—and caught hold of the thing nearest to me. Unfortunately, it was the Hercules lady. Mistaking my action, she took me up, and, before I could explain matters, carried me out, and deposited me in the main transept.
THEODORE TRAVERS.
(He again takes up the paper.) The artist represents her as assisting you by the scruff of the neck, and other things.
MR. BEN DIXON.
It may have been so. I was too much upset to notice details.