Mrs. Drabdump was the first witness called for the prosecution.  She was quite used to legal inquisitiveness by this time, but did not appear in good spirits.

“On the night of December 3rd, you gave the prisoner a letter?”

“Yes, your ludship.”

“How did he behave when he read it?”

“He turned very pale and excited.  He went up to the poor gentleman’s room, and I’m afraid he quarrelled with him.  He might have left his last hours peaceful.” (Amusement.)

“What happened then?”

“Mr. Mortlake went out in a passion, and came in again in about an hour.”

“He told you he was going away to Liverpool very early the next morning?”

“No, your ludship, he said he was going to Devonport.” (Sensation.)

“What time did you get up the next morning?”

“Half-past six.”

“That is not your usual time?”

“No, I always get up at six.”

“How do you account for the extra sleepiness?”

“Misfortunes will happen.”

“It wasn’t the dull, foggy weather?”

“No, my lud, else I should never get up early.” (Laughter.)

“You drink something before going to bed?”

“I like my cup o’ tea.  I take it strong, without sugar.  It always steadies my nerves.”

“Quite so.  Where were you when the prisoner told you he was going to Devonport?”

“Drinkin’ my tea in the kitchen.”

“What should you say if prisoner dropped something in it to make you sleep late?”

WITNESS (startled):  “He ought to be shot.”

“He might have done it without your noticing it, I suppose?”

“If he was clever enough to murder the poor gentleman, he was clever enough to try and poison me.”

The JUDGE:  “The witness in her replies must confine herself to the evidence.”

Mr. SPIGOT, Q.C.:  “I must submit to your lordship that it is a very logical answer, and exactly illustrates the interdependence of the probabilities.  Now, Mrs. Drabdump, let us know what happened when you awoke at half-past six the next morning.”  Thereupon Mrs. Drabdump recapitulated the evidence (with new redundancies, but slight variations) given by her at the inquest.  How she became alarmed—­how she found the street door locked by the big lock—­how she roused Grodman, and got him to burst open the door—­how they found the body—­all this with which the public was already familiar ad nauseam was extorted from her afresh.

“Look at this key (key passed to witness).  Do you recognise it?”

“Yes; how did you get it?  It’s the key of my first-floor front.  I am sure I left it sticking in the door.”

“Did you know a Miss Dymond?”

“Yes, Mr. Mortlake’s sweetheart.  But I knew he would never marry her, poor thing.” (Sensation.)

“Why not?”

“He was getting too grand for her.” (Amusement.)

“You don’t mean anything more than that?”