The chemist’s assistant who had supplied the poison, and who had identified the portion found in the possession of the accused as part of that which had been sold to her, also escaped without a challenge. Five of her female associates were then called one after another. Their evidence was extremely damning. With the skilled aid of the junior counsel for the Crown, every rag of decency was stripped from the woman in the dock. She stood forth a veritable harpy and monster, several shades more infamous than themselves. As one after another of these witnesses was permitted to stand down without being subjected to the ordeal of cross-examination, the ex-president of the Oxford Union was moved to express his personal disappointment. “Something might have been done with these, at any rate.” “I think you are right,” said his friend; “but what’s the good, after all. It is a waste of time to say anything.” “There is no defence, I am told.” “He will call evidence to show that she was subject to violent fits of passion when in drink.” “Ah, that is where Tobin will be missed. Really, one is surprised at Whitcomb and Whitcomb.” “They saw the futility of fighting, and are doing it on the cheap.” “Poor brute! But I don’t altogether agree with you. Something might have been done by a man of ability. I should like to have seen Tobin in it.” “I don’t think Tobin would have attempted to touch their witnesses. We must wait till he calls his own to see what he is worth.” At this moment, however, those who had conducted this secret conversation had their curiosity gratified by the spectacle of Northcote rising for the first time. He got up heavily and wearily, as though age had stricken him in every joint. His face was almost painful in its pallor. The last “unfortunate” had just made her half-audible reply to the final question that had been put to her by the amiable Mr. Topott. “I believe you said you had been acquainted ten years with the accused?” said Northcote, in a voice that was curiously low and gentle. “Yes, sir.” “During that period you had known her many times to be under the influence of drink?” “Yes, sir.” “Would you say that drink excited her easily?” “Yes, sir.” “That a very small quantity was sufficient to excite her?” “Yes, sir.” “And that when in this condition she was inclined to be very free in her speech?” “Yes, sir.” “Also she had a tendency to make use of expressions that she was never known to permit herself when perfectly sober?” “Yes, sir.” “The same would apply to her statements when in this excited condition?” “Yes, sir.” “They were obvious exaggerations?” “Yes, sir.” “And some were pure inventions? You knew they were wholly untrue?” “Yes, sir.” “You and her other friends were well acquainted with her habit of giving way to exaggeration, and even to palpable untruth when under the influence of drink?” “Yes, sir.”