“Less. I was about to call, when I heard the man on foot speak to the other, who was riding past him.”
“You saw both men clearly?”
“No,” replied the woman firmly; “not clearly. I saw the one on the road. He was a little man, and he limped in his walk.”
In the stillness of the court Ralph could almost hear the woman breathe.
“They were quarrelling, the two men; you heard what they said?” said counsel, breaking silence.
“It's not true,” cried the witness, in a hurried manner, “I heard nothing.”
“This is no suborned witness, my lords,” said counsel in a cold voice, and with a freezing smile. “Well, woman?”
“The tall man leapt off his horse, and there was a struggle. The little man was swearing. There was a heavy fall, and all was quiet once more.”
As she spoke the woman recoiled to the back of the box, and covered her face in her hands.
“What manner of man was the taller one?” “He had a strong face with big features and large eyes. I saw him indistinctly.”