"Before the jury consider any verdict," he said in his loudest tones, "they must hear certain evidence which I wish to call. And first of all--is Mr. Marston Greyle present in this room?" The coroner frowned, and the Squire's solicitor turned to Petherton. "Mr. Greyle is not present," he said. "He is not at all well. There is no need for his presence--he has no evidence to give." "If you don't have Mr. Greyle down here at once," said Petherton, quietly, "this inquest will have to be adjourned for his attendance. You had better send for him--or I'll get the authorities to do so. In the meantime, we'll call one or two witnesses,--Daniel Ewbank!--to begin with." There was a brief and evidently anxious consultation between Greyle's solicitor and the coroner; there were dark looks at Petherton and his companions. Then the foreman of the jury spoke, sullenly. "We don't want to hear no Ewbanks!" he said. "We're quite satisfied, us as sits here. Our verdict is--" "You'll have to bear Ewbank and anybody I like to call, my good sir," retorted Petherton quietly. "I am better acquainted with the law than you are." He turned to the coroner's officer. "I warned you this morning to produce Ewbank," he said. "Now, where is he?" Out of a deep silence a shrill voice came from the rear of the crowd. "Knows better than to be here, does Dan'l Ewbank, mister! He's off!" "Very good--or bad--for somebody," remarked Petherton, quietly. "Then--until Mr. Marston Greyle comes--we will call Zachary Spurge." The assemblage, jurymen included, broke into derisive laughter as Spurge suddenly appeared from the most densely packed corner of the room, and it was at once evident to Copplestone that whatever the poacher might say, no one there would attach any importance to it. The laughter continued and increased while Spurge was under examination. Petherton appealed to the coroner; the coroner affected not to hear. And once more the foreman of the jury interrupted. "We don't want to hear no more o' this stuff!" he said. "It's an insult to us to put a fellow like that before us. We don't believe a word o' what he says. We don't believe he was within a mile o' them ruins on Sunday afternoon. It's all a put-up job!" Petherton leaned towards the reporters. "I hope you gentlemen of the press will make a full note of these proceedings," he observed suavely. "You at any rate are not biassed or prejudiced." The coroner heard that in spite of his deafness, and he grew purple. "Sir!" he exclaimed. "That is a most improper observation! It's a reflection on my position, sir, and I've a great mind--" "Mr. Coroner," observed Petherton, leaning towards him, "I shall hand in a full report concerning your conduct of these proceedings to the Home Office tomorrow. If you attempt to interfere with my duty here, all the worse for you. Now, Spurge, you can stand down. And as I see Mr. Greyle there--call Marston Greyle!"