“I decline to answer. It’s no business of yours. I suppose I can have what visitors I choose.” “Do you suggest that the visit was intended for you--in your bedroom, alone, at that hour of the night? Consider what your suggestion implies.” “I never said that any one came.” “You as good as said so. But we will have it from you in another form. Who was it, Mr. Ferguson, who came through your bedroom window?” Beads of perspiration were already standing on my forehead. “I have told you,” I shouted, “that I decline to answer!” Jordan turned to the coroner. “Perhaps you will allow me to explain, Mr. Coroner, that the police are in possession of a body of evidence which tends to implicate a particular person. This fact the witness is aware of and resents. He has not only thrown obstacles in the way of the police, but has gone so far as to assert his own guilt. That this assertion rests on no basis of truth there can be no sort of doubt. Its only purpose can be to throw dust in the eyes of the police; and, especially, to render his own evidence ineligible. His own evidence is of capital importance. And I ask your assistance, Mr. Coroner, in my endeavour to prevent a miscarriage of justice, owing to Mr. Ferguson’s refusal to answer any questions which I may put to him.” “Certainly. Witness, you will answer any proper questions which are put to you, at once, and without any beating about the bush.” “I rather fancy that that’s a point on which I shall please myself.” The coroner banged his hand upon the table. “Don’t speak to me like that, sir, or you’ll find yourself in the wrong box. If you don’t answer the questions which are put to you, I’ll commit you for contempt of Court.” “Commit.” I should have liked to commit an assault upon the coroner. But he thought proper to ignore my challenge, and addressed himself to Mr. Jordan. “Put your question again. I am amazed to find a person of the apparent position of the witness behaving in so discreditable a manner.” “Now, Mr. Ferguson. I ask you again: Did any one come through your bedroom window after you had retired to rest?” “And I say to you, Mr. Jordan, that you have my sympathy in the position in which you find yourself. Don’t you think if I were to put one or two questions to you, it might vary the monotony?” “You hear, Mr. Coroner, what the witness says?” “I do. And I regret to find that such conduct can be treated with levity.” A titter had gone round the room. “If there is that sound again, I will immediately have the court cleared. Witness, look at me.” “If you desire it, with the greatest pleasure. Though there doesn’t seem to be much to look at.” “How dare you speak to me like that?” “No offence, my dear Mr. Coroner. A plain statement of a plain fact.” “Have you been drinking, sir?” “That is said with an insolent intention. Is it impossible for an official person to be courteous?”