The maid is visibly flurried.
“I don’t know, sir,” she stammers.
“Thank you, Victoire.” The cold, calm, contemptuous voice comes again, and the maid in turn steps down.
Alfred Hawkins corroborates Charles Weston’s evidence, as to driving Lord Westray to Mrs. de Lara’s South Kensington residence on one occasion. He states that he was groom to the late lord, and is still so to his successor.
“I call for Mr. Trackem,” enunciates Sir Anthony Stickleback in an important voice, “since the accused does not wish to ask Alfred Hawkins any questions.”
Mr. Trackem enters the witness box. He is extremely well dressed, and has an air of importance about him. Like Sir Anthony, he has evidently a good opinion of himself.
“Mr. Trackem, you own a certain house in Verdegrease Crescent, do you not?” inquires Sir Anthony blandly.
“I do, sir,” answers Mr. Trackem.
“Have you or have you not admitted Mrs. de Lara to the house?”
“Frequently, sir,” answers that individual.