'Yes; Mr. Trevanion asked where Henry Jones lived, and whether he had any more horses of the same breed. Ned answered that he lived at Monaro, and that he would have some more to sell when he bought his next draught from him.' 'You believe, then, that Trevanion had no idea that the horse was stolen?' 'No more than you had. He said over and over again that he must get another or two from Jones.' 'Now, Miss Lawless, you need not answer this question unless you like. _Did you know_ that the horse was stolen?' 'No, I did not, or I would have warned Mr. Trevanion. I may have doubted whether everything was quite square about him; but I never thought for a moment that he was stolen.' 'May I ask you, also, what reason you were likely to have for warning Mr. Trevanion?' 'Merely that I had a friendly feeling for him, and did not wish to see him taken in.' 'A very good reason, too. Now there has been evidence to the effect that Mr. Trevanion admired your cousin Kate; that he paid her a good deal of attention?' 'Yes; no doubt he did.' 'You must excuse my asking you, but it is necessary to come to a correct understanding; was there any rivalry or jealous feeling between you?' 'Not the slightest. He was polite--he couldn't be otherwise; but he never cared two straws about me, or any one but Kate, though I was his real friend; but he never knew it.' 'Was there not a letter from Kate Lawless sent by your hand to him, after she had left for Balooka?' 'Yes; but she had to get some one to write it for her. I had a great mind not to deliver it. I wish now that I never had, and all this might have been saved.' 'That will do, Miss Esther. Stay--one more question. You had never, of course, seen Mr. Trevanion in company with your cousins before you came to Ballarat?' It occasionally happens that an advocate, in putting a question which he believes to be perfectly innocuous, makes some fatal mistake which damages the whole of his previous evidence. The witness changed colour, and hesitated, then appeared to wish to avoid answering the question. Mr. England divined the situation. 'It's of no consequence. The witness is not strong. You can go down, Miss Lawless.' But it was too late. Dayrell was not the man to overlook a false move. 'I request that the witness's answer may be taken.' 'As the question has been asked, Mr. England, I think it should be answered,' said the magistrate. 'I will put it myself from the Bench.' 'Have you at any time, witness, seen the prisoner Trevanion in company with your cousins, before the family came to Ballarat?' Esther Lawless stood erect as she fixed her eye with a troubled gaze upon Mr. M'Alpine's countenance. 'Must I answer this question, your worship?' said she; 'is it necessary in the case?' 'I think you had better,' said he, not unkindly. 'I am sure you will tell the truth.'