Another bustle in Court. “Is that note among the exhibits?” There is a hurried looking over of the papers scattered on the table where sit the Crown lawyers in pleasant amity with the prisoner’s solicitor, Mr. Toogood. Yes, the letter is here; Sir Almeric holds it up before Miss Prince.
“Is this the letter?”
“Yes, I certify that that is the letter.”
“As a matter of fact, Miss Prince, you did not actually receive a visit from Mr. Garlett. But you think it almost certain that he came in one day when you happened to be out?”
Miss Prince hesitates. “I cannot say that I consider it almost certain.”
Sir Almeric says quickly: “We have a witness who will swear that you told her you regarded it as practically certain that Mr. Garlett did visit your house to look at the gutters.”
Miss Prince for the first time shows some discomfort.
“I may have said that,” she answers in a low voice, “but now that I am speaking on oath I wish to reassert the fact that I am not certain Mr. Garlett ever came to my house. The only certain thing is that he sent in his builder, and that the gutters were cleaned out and repaired.”
“Is it or is it not a fact that your medicine cupboard was often left open—the door of it, that is, unlocked?”
Sir Almeric’s voice now takes a somewhat unpleasant edge. He had understood that Miss Prince would be a very willing witness against Henry Garlett.