The Nine of Hearts. B. L. Farjeon

you have to follow?' and handed him the menu--the bill of fare. He said, 'Salmon cutlets.' 'For two, monsieur?' I asked. 'For two,' he said. I served them."

      The Attorney-general. "Did he at any time summon you by ringing the bell?"

      Witness. "No. It appeared to me that monsieur did not wish to be disturbed therefore I did not disturb him, but I noticed--"

      The Attorney-general. "You noticed what?"

      Witness. "That, as with the soup, monsieur ate nothing, and helped madame to nothing. I waited till I thought it was time, and then I went to the table and asked whether he did not like the salmon cutlets. Monsieur answered, 'Oh yes, they are very good,' and pushed them away as before. I removed them, as with the soup. What will monsieur have to follow?' I asked. 'Ices,' he said. 'Vanille?' I asked. 'Yes,' he said, 'Vanille.' I brought them. They were not eaten."

      The Attorney-general. "Did they drink the wine?"

      Witness. "Monsieur once raised his glass to his lips, but tasted it only, and as if he had no heart in it."

      The Attorney-general. "Did he order anything else?"

      Witness. "No. When I asked him, he said, 'The bill.' I brought it."

      The Attorney-general. "What did it amount to?"

      Witness. "One pound four shillings."

      The Attorney-general. "How much of the champagne was drunk?"

      Witness. "Half a glass--not more."

      The Attorney-general. "Did not the lady drink any of hers?"

      Witness. "Not any."

      The Attorney-general. "Did the prisoner make any remark as to the amount of the bill?"

      Witness. "Oh no; he gave me a sovereign and a half-sovereign, and said, 'That will do.'"

      The Attorney-general. "Meaning that you could keep the change?"

      Witness. "I took it so, and he said nothing."

      The Attorney-general. "A good customer?"

      Witness. "A very good customer. Not many such."

      The Attorney-general. "Without a murmur or a remark, the prisoner paid you thirty shillings for half a glass of champagne?"

      Witness. "That is so. It was, as I say, surprising. I did not forget it."

      The Attorney-general. "It was not a circumstance to forget. You say that the lady who accompanied the prisoner did not remove her cloak or veil. Was that the case the whole of the time she was in the room?"

      Witness. "The whole of the time."

      The Attorney-general. "Her gloves--did she wear those the whole of the time?"

      Witness. "But, no. I remember once seeing her hand ungloved."

      The Attorney-general. "Her right or left hand? Be particular in your answer, and think before you speak, if it is necessary. My object is to ascertain whether the lady was married, and wore a wedding-ring."

      Witness (smiling). "But a wedding-ring matters not. Those wear them who are not married."

      The Attorney-general. "Reply to my question. Was it her right or her left hand which you saw ungloved?"

      Witness. "I cannot remember."

      The Attorney-general. "Try."

      Witness. "It is of no use. I cannot remember."

      The Attorney-general. "Can you remember whether it was a small or a large hand?"

      Witness. "It was a small white hand."

      The Attorney-general. "The hand, presumably, of a lady?"

      Witness. "Or of a member of the theatre. Who can tell? We have many such."

      The Attorney-general. "Were there rings upon her fingers?"

      Witness. "I observed one of turquoises and diamonds."

      The Attorney-general. "Was it a ring with any particular setting by which it could be identified?"

      Witness. "A ring set with diamonds and turquoises. That is all I know."

      The Attorney-general. "Would you recognize it again if you saw it?"

      Witness. "I cannot say. I think not. I did not particularly remark it."

      The Attorney-general. "Did you remark the color of her gloves?"

      Witness. "They were black gloves."

      The Attorney-general. "Of kid?"

      Witness. "Yes, of kid."

      The Attorney-general. "At what time did the prisoner and his companion leave the restaurant?"

      Witness. "It must have been about twelve."

      The Attorney-general. "Why do you say 'It must have been about twelve?'"

      Witness. "Because I did not see them leave the room."

      The Attorney-general. "You can, however, fix the time within a few minutes?"

      Witness. "Oh yes. At a quarter to twelve, as near as I can remember, I had occasion to go down-stairs. When I returned, after three or four minutes, monsieur and madame were gone."

      The Attorney-general. "Were you aware that they had a carriage waiting for them?"

      Witness. "Only that I heard so. I did not see it."

      (The witness was then briefly cross-examined by the prisoner.)

      Prisoner. "You say that you saw me enter the restaurant from the street, and that I asked you if I could have supper in a private room?"

      Witness. "That is so."

      Prisoner. "Did you show me into a private room?"

      Witness. "Yes."

      Prisoner. "Where other persons could not enter?"

      Witness. "Oh no; it was a room for six or eight persons."

      Prisoner. "During the time I was there, did you attend to other persons besides me?"

      Witness. "Yes."

      Prisoner. "The room was not strictly private?"

      Witness. "As private as I have said."

      Prisoner. "What was the first thing I did when I went to the table you pointed out to me?"

      Witness. "You removed your overcoat. It was wet with rain; and it surprised me that madame did not remove hers, which was also wet with rain."

      Mr. Justice Fenmore. "Do not make remarks. Simply answer the questions put to you."

      Witness. "Yes, my lord."

      Prisoner. "What did I do with the overcoat when I had taken it off?"

      Witness. "You hung it up behind you."

      Prisoner. "On a peg in the wall?"

      Witness. "Yes."

      Prisoner. "Was this peg quite close to the table at which I sat?"

      Witness. "No, it was at a little distance."

      Prisoner. "At the back of me?"

      Witness. "Yes."

      Prisoner. "Did I put the overcoat on before I left the room?"

      Witness. "Yes."

      Mr. Justice Fenmore. "You have said in examination that you did not see the prisoner and his companion leave the room."

      Witness. "But when I returned, after being away for three or four minutes, monsieur was gone, and the coat was also gone."

      Prisoner. "Then you did not see me put on the overcoat?"