Poor Eustace was in a woeful state of nervousness and genuine grief on behalf of his relative, as he took the oath. Indeed, it seemed as if he would hardly be able to deliver his evidence coherently. "Take time, Mr Ingelow," said Mr Benham kindly. "There's no hurry-- none whatever. You are, I believe, the prisoner's brother-in-law?" "Yes." "In a double sense?" "I--I don't quite understand." "What do you mean by `a double sense,' Mr Benham?" snapped the judge. "We mean, m'lord, that they married each others' sisters." Here it became necessary to explain that the learned counsel was forging ahead too fast, and that at least half of his statement dealt with future contingencies instead of with actual facts. Which explanation tickled the audience and reduced the witness to a red-hot degree of nervousness. "And now, Mr Ingelow," he went on, when the joke had subsided, "just tell the gentlemen of the jury what happened during the search you took part in. Were you asked to join in that search?" "No. I did not even know what had happened until I saw Mr Curtis and General Dorrien arrive on the beach. I was there at the time talking with Matt and Jem Pollock." "And then you learned that Hubert Dorrien was missing?" "Yes. I volunteered at once to join in the search." "Were you acquainted with the deceased?" "Very slightly. In fact, hardly at all." "But you were acquainted with General Dorrien?" A flush rose to Eustace's face, and he hesitated. "I can't exactly say that. But--but--of course I knew him well by sight--and--" "I can't hear a word the witness says," snapped the judge, "and I'm sure the jury can't." "A little louder please, Mr Ingelow. Did you find anything anywhere near the Smugglers' Ladder?" "Yes. A piece of silk cord, such as might be used for an eyeglass." "The deceased wore an eyeglass?" "Yes." "What did you do with this cord?" "I took it to General Dorrien. He seemed to recognise it--but said nothing." "Is this the cord?" handing it to the witness. "I think so." "How did you find it?" "It was hanging on a tuft of grass on the brink." "Now, what was your idea when you found this cord?" "I thought it a very important trace. It seemed to point to the poor fellow having fallen in." "Quite so. Were there any other traces?" "The grass around the brink was crushed." "Crushed and trampled?" "M'lord, the witness said `crushed,'" objected Mr Windgate. "I must really object--" "Well, `crushed' then," went on Mr Benham suavely. "My learned friend shall have no reason to complain of undue pressure on our part. Well, and what did you think then, Mr Ingelow?" "I thought there was no doubt about his having fallen into the chasm." "Fallen in?" "Yes." "You had no suspicion then of foul play?" "Not the slightest. I never heard that anyone had."