"Did you not first ascertain whether the unfortunate woman was really dead? Did you not call the servant?" "No. Overcome by sudden fear I left the place, lest I should be suspected of committing the murder." This statement had a great effect upon the spectators, and it was some moments before quiet was sufficiently restored for the interrogatory to proceed. "Did you give information to the police?" "No. I left for Paris at ten the same morning." "Can you say positively that it was not the prisoner who committed the murder?" "Yes; I am certain it was not," he replied, drawing a long breath. I was still convinced he was the murderer. He might, I thought, be endeavouring to shield himself by giving evidence against some imaginary person. "Have you any idea who committed the deed?" "I have--I believe--" "Stop! Whatever information you can give in a serious charge like this must be given to the police," exclaimed the judge, interrupting. "Shall I give the police the name of the person I suspect?" asked the Russian. "Yes; at the conclusion of your examination." Counsel for the prosecution rose and took a deliberate view of the witness, saying: "Tell me, Mr Seroff, what prompted you to act in the extraordinary manner you did on discovering the crime?" "I had no desire to be suspected." "Would it not have been more natural to have given information at once, instead of hiding yourself?" "Possibly it would." "Then what caused you to keep the matter a secret, and not come forward until now?" demanded the lawyer, with a shrewd look. "I had my reasons." "It is those reasons I desire to know." "I refuse to state them." "Then your evidence is very incomplete, and I do not think the jury will accept it." "Not if I place the police on the track of the assassin?" "You forget that by your refusal to state the whole of the facts, and keeping the matter secret as you have, that you are an accessory, in a certain degree, to your wife's murder." "I'm fully aware of it; nevertheless I refuse to give you the reason why I believed I should be suspected of the crime." "Very well," said counsel, in a tone of annoyance, resuming his seat. "I hope the jury will accept your evidence with the utmost caution." "Have you any more witnesses, Mr Roland?" the judge asked. "No, m'lord. This concludes the case for the defence." Boris Seroff descended from the witness-box, and left the Court in company with an inspector of police and a detective. A few seconds later they returned, held a hurried conversation with the clerk of the Court, who in turn whispered something to the judge, which appeared greatly to surprise him. Then the two officers went out again. Had my newly-discovered brother-in-law divulged the name of the murderer? Those were moments of terrible excitement. CHAPTER THIRTY TWO. RAYS OF HOPE. My trial was concluding.