"Really, this is a most unwarrantable aspersion of the witness' veracity, which my learned friend is hardly justified in making." "We shall see," uncompromisingly retorted the other. "Now, Mr Johnston, let me assist your memory. Did you not on the day you were dismissed accost Mrs Dorrien in the conservatory, and ask for a certain situation for your son?" "Yes." "And hint that it was in your power to injure your mister, if it was refused?" "No." "What?" "No. I did no such thing," replied Johnston composedly. Mr Windgate was nonplussed. He stared at the witness in amazement. "You did no such thing? Kindly repeat that?" "I did no such thing." "Very good. Remember you were warned what a false statement involved," said Mr Windgate severely, making a voluminous note to conceal his chagrin. For the astute Q.C. had been completely foiled by the canny Scot. That worthy knew that his master's lips were sealed, and that even if his mistress could give evidence against himself it would merely be oath against oath. So having decided that he could commit perjury with impunity, he at least had the merit of doing it thoroughly. "Well, the fact remains that Mr Dorrien discharged you summarily. Now, did you threaten him on that occasion?" "I may have." "Answer my question. Did you?" "Well, yes, I did." "What did you say to him?" "I don't remember." "Again let me refresh your memory. Did you say--`You will come to a noose for this day's work'?" "I may have said so." "That won't do. Did you say that? Be careful now." "M'lord, the witness says he can't remember," objected Mr Benham. "He was angry at the time--under the circumstances, naturally so. We can't always remember words uttered in anger." "It's of no consequence, m'lord. We can prove that he used the words. It would save time--and, perhaps, be better for himself--if he admitted it, though," said Mr Windgate significantly. "Well, I did say that," said Johnston sullenly. "We know you did. Now, to what did you refer when you said that? Was it to this charge of murder?" "It may have been." "Answer the learned counsel properly, sir," blazed forth the judge. "You are an impertinent fellow, to come here and play the fool in Court. Just be careful what you are about." "I mean it was," answered Johnston, overawed. "Quite so. In a word, you suspected that there had been foul play, and that your master was at the bottom of it?" "Yes." "Only a suspicion, of course?" "Yes." "Now, what gave rise to that suspicion?" "Well, it seemed strange that Mr Roland should be down at Battisford in disguise just at the time Mr Hubert disappeared." "Ah! How long were you in the service of the accused?" "Nearly two years."