I saw that Mr. Bates was going to do something to earn his money at last.
The witness saw it too.
"My learned brother, Mr. Taunton, has brought your story to a point at which it reminds one of those sensational tales which are to be continued in our next. With your permission we will continue it together. You have told us of your charitable loan of a handkerchief--a silk handkerchief. May I take it that you then communicated with the police?"
"No."
"Then what did you do?"
"I had no actual knowledge that a crime had been committed."
"I ask you, Mr. Taunton, when you had lent the silk handkerchief, what you did."
"I saw the prisoner to a cab."
"Then did you communicate with the police?"
"I did not."