The court, the public, Spargo, everybody there, knew all this already. It had been in print, under a big headline, in the _Watchman_. Aylmore had now told it again; having told it, he seemed to consider that his next step was to leave the box and the court, and after a perfunctory question or two from the Coroner and the foreman of the jury he made a motion as if to step down. But Spargo, who had been aware since the beginning of the enquiry of the presence of a certain eminent counsel who represented the Treasury, cocked his eye in that gentleman’s direction, and was not surprised to see him rise in his well-known, apparently indifferent fashion, fix his monocle in his right eye, and glance at the tall figure in the witness-box. “The fun is going to begin,” muttered Spargo. The Treasury representative looked from Aylmore to the Coroner and made a jerky bow; from the Coroner to Aylmore and straightened himself. He looked like a man who is going to ask indifferent questions about the state of the weather, or how Smith’s wife was last time you heard of her, or if stocks are likely to rise or fall. But Spargo had heard this man before, and he knew many signs of his in voice and manner and glance. “I want to ask you a few questions, Mr. Aylmore, about your acquaintanceship with the dead man. It was an acquaintanceship of some time ago?” began the suave, seemingly careless voice. “A considerable time ago,” answered Aylmore. “How long—roughly speaking?” “I should say from twenty to twenty-two or three years.” “Never saw him during that time until you met accidentally in the way you have described to us?” “Never.” “Ever heard from him?” “No.” “Ever heard of him?” “No.” “But when you met, you knew each other at once?” “Well—almost at once.” “Almost at once. Then, I take it, you were very well known to each other twenty or twenty-two years ago?” “We were—yes, well known to each other.” “Close friends?” “I said we were acquaintances.” “Acquaintances. What was his name when you knew him at that time?” “His name? It was—Marbury.” “Marbury—the same name. Where did you know him?” “I—oh, here in London.” “What was he?” “Do you mean—what was his occupation?” “What was his occupation?” “I believe he was concerned in financial matters.” “Concerned in financial matters. Had you dealings with him?” “Well, yes—on occasions.” “What was his business address in London?” “I can’t remember that.” “What was his private address?” “That I never knew.” “Where did you transact your business with him?” “Well, we met, now and then.” “Where? What place, office, resort?” “I can’t remember particular places. Sometimes—in the City.” “In the City. Where in the City? Mansion House, or Lombard Street, or St. Paul’s Churchyard, or the Old Bailey, or where?” “I have recollections of meeting him outside the Stock Exchange.” “Oh! Was he a member of that institution?” “Not that I know of.” “Were you?” “Certainly not!”