"Yes," the architect replied slowly, "I suppose so. At least I knew all about it!"
"You considered it a dangerous building?"
"I can't say that I did. I should consider it so now. I didn't think much about it then."
The witness's admission came with evident effort; the juryman continued insinuatingly:—
"Mr. Hart, I believe that you were present at the fire?"
"Yes."
"Did you then believe that if the hotel had been built according to these plans"—he pointed to the roll of blue prints on the table—"the large loss of life would not have occurred?"
"I felt so,—yes, I believe so now!"
"May I ask one more question? Was it for your interest to make these changes? Did you make any money out of the job beyond your customary commission?"
It was a question that the witness might properly refuse to answer as having no direct bearing on the object of the inquest. But the architect was weary of quibbles,—indeed, eager to make his testimony as thorough as might be, and to have it over.