The more he thought about it, the more it was revealed to him that the expression in her eyes was of a questioning, inquiring nature, as one who might be saying to herself: are these men--or this one, in particular--entirely devoid of intelligence? He was four minutes late in court the next morning, and it was all the fault of the too indulgent Turple. Turple, being a sagacious and faithful menial, respectfully neglected to disturb his master's slumber until after nine o'clock, and as a result Sampson had to go without his breakfast and almost without his shave in order to get down to the court-room in time. Turple received emphatic orders to rout him out of bed at seven o'clock every morning after that, no matter how bitterly he was abused for doing so. He was out of breath when he dropped into his chair in the jury box, expecting and dreading a rebuke from the Court for his tardiness. He glanced at Miss Alexandra Hildebrand, almost apologetically. It certainly was not relief that he felt on discovering that she was paying no attention whatever to him. She was engaged in consultation with the two lawyers and did not even so much as glance in his direction when he popped into his seat. The justice was still on his good behaviour. He bowed politely to Sampson and then looked at the clock. The cross-examination of Mr. Stevens began. Sampson was agreeably surprised by the astuteness, the suavity, the unexpected resourcefulness of Mr. O'Brien, who questioned the witness. “You say, Mr. Stevens, that James Hildebrand, Jr., retired from the company about two years prior to the retirement of his father, the defendant. Why did the younger Hildebrand retire?” “He was not satisfied with the reorganisation.” “Isn't it true that you and he were not on friendly terms and that he refused to serve with you--” “We object!” interrupted the district attorney. “The question is not--” “Objection overruled,” said the Court testily. “Finish your question, Mr. O'Brien, and then answer it, Mr. Witness.” “We were not on friendly terms,” admitted Mr. Stevens, who looked vaguely surprised on being addressed as “Mr. Witness.” “And he preferred to get out of the company rather than to serve on the board with you? Isn't that true?” “I cannot answer that question. I can only say that he disposed of his interests and retired.” “Who purchased his stock?” “Mr. Schoolcraft, one of the directors.” “Who owns that stock to-day?” “I do.” “When did you purchase it of Mr. Schoolcraft?” “I do not remember.” “Was it a week, a month or a year after the original sale?” “A couple of months, I suppose.” “Do you know what Mr. Schoolcraft paid for that stock?” “I do not.” “You do know what you paid him for it, however?” “I paid ninety-five and a fraction for it.” “Didn't you buy twenty shares of Mr. Schoolcraft's stock at the same time?” “I did.” “Did you pay ninety-five and a fraction for the Schoolcraft stock?” “I think I paid a little more than that.”