"You were personally acquainted with Abel Death?" "Yes." "And on friendly terms with him?" "Yes." "Why did he not open the street door for you?" "He had been instructed not to admit anyone during my father's absence." "Not even to go down to the door to see who it was who sought entrance?" "Not even that. He was ordered not to stir out of the office." "Was your father a very strict man?" "Very strict." "Had you a definite object in view when you paid the visit, apart from the natural desire to see him?" "I had. My circumstances were not good, and I went to see if I could not improve them. My mother had left me a small fortune, and had appointed a trustee to administer it. This trustee had given me to understand that when I was of age I should come into possession of £8,000. I spent my youth and early manhood abroad, and when I returned home my trustee was dead, and my father had the disposition of my inheritance. He wished me to join him in his business, but I had a distaste for it, and we had many arguments and discussions on the subject." The Juror: "Quarrels?" "I suppose they would be considered so. We were equally firm, and the consequence of our disagreement was that there was a breach between us, which ended in my leaving his house." "Voluntarily?" "He sent me away. Before I left he asked me what I intended to live upon, and I answered that I had my inheritance. Greatly to my surprise he informed me that all the money had been spent upon me during and three or four years after my minority. He showed me a statement of accounts which I did not understand." "Interrupting you here, has that statement of accounts been found among your father's papers?" "No statement of accounts has been found. Shall I proceed?" "If you wish." "It is hardly my wish, but I certainly desire to anticipate questions which might be put to me by the jury." The Juror: "Quite right. It will save trouble."