«Yes,» said Mr. Thipps faintly.
«Have you cautioned this witness, officer?» inquired the Coroner, turning sharply to Inspector Sugg.
The Inspector replied that he had told Mr. Thipps that anything he said might be used again' him at his trial. Mr. Thipps became ashy, and said in a bleating voice that he 'adn't — hadn't meant to do anything that wasn't right.
This remark produced a mild sensation, and the Coroner became even more acidulated in manner than before.
«Is anybody representing Mr. Thipps?» he asked, irritably. «No? Did you not explain to him that he could — that he ought to be represented? You did not? Really, Inspector! Did you not know, Mr. Thipps, that you had a right to be legally represented?»
Mr. Thipps clung to a chair-back for support, and said «No» in a voice barely audible.
«It is incredible,» said the Coroner, «that so-called educated people should be so ignorant of the legal procedure of their own country. This places us in a very awkward position. I doubt, Inspector, whether I should permit the prisoner — Mr. Thipps — to give evidence at all. It is a delicate position.»
The perspiration stood on Mr. Thipps's forehead.
«Save us from our friends,» whispered the Duchess to Parker. «If that cough-drop-devouring creature had openly instructed those fourteen people — and what unfinished-looking faces they have — so characteristic, I always think, of the lower middle-class, rather like sheep, or calves' head (boiled, I mean), to bring in wilful murder against the poor little man, he couldn't have made himself plainer.»
«He can't let him incriminate himself, you know,» said Parker.