There was a dead silence. The witness looked from one to the other with an almost pitiful expression of bewilderment.
"Well," said the lawyer after a long pause, "what explanation have you to offer us? I presume you will not suggest that the postal authorities post-date letters?"
"I—I must have made a mistake," faltered the unhappy Sumbowa. "Now I come to think of it, I didn't put the note into the envelope till some days afterwards."
"Oh yes, you've made a mistake," commented the lawyer drily, "but not exactly in the way you would have us believe. However, we will let that pass for the moment. Were you in the office yourself on the night that the Arrow left?"
"No."
"What time did Mr. Solomon arrive at the office on the following morning?"
"I don't know."
"Don't you go to the office in the mornings, then?"
"Oh yes, I went to the office at eight o'clock as usual, but Mr. Solomon was not there. I waited about for a little while and then went away. When I came back at half-past ten he had returned."
"Was there anyone in the office at the time he arrived?"