“You swear on your oath that you saw Mr. Aylmore take his companion into the Temple by the Embankment entrance of Middle Temple Lane on the occasion in question?” “I do! I could swear no other, sir.” “Can you tell us, as near as possible, what time that would be?” “Yes. It was, to a minute or so, about five minutes past twelve.” The Treasury Counsel nodded to the Coroner, and the Coroner, after a whispered conference with the foreman of the jury, looked at the witness. “You have only just given this information to the police, I understand?” he said. “Yes, sir. I have been in Paris, and in Amiens, and I only returned by this morning’s boat. As soon as I had read all the news in the papers—the English papers—and seen the dead man’s photographs I determined to tell the police what I knew, and I went to New Scotland Yard as soon as I got to London this morning.” Nobody else wanted to ask Mr. David Lyell any questions, and he stepped down. And Mr. Aylmore suddenly came forward again, seeking the Coroner’s attention. “May I be allowed to make an explanation, sir?” he began. “I—” But the Treasury Counsel was on his feet, this time stern and implacable. “I would point out, sir, that you have had Mr. Aylmore in the box, and that he was not then at all ready to give explanations, or even to answer questions,” he said. “And before you allow him to make any explanation now, I ask you to hear another witness whom I wish to interpose at this stage. That witness is——” Mr. Aylmore turned almost angrily to the Coroner. “After the evidence of the last witness, I think I have a right to be heard at once!” he said with emphasis. “As matters stand at present, it looks as if I had trifled, sir, with you and the jury, whereas if I am allowed to make an explanation—” “I must respectfully ask that before Mr. Aylmore is allowed to make any explanation, the witness I have referred to is heard,” said the Treasury Counsel sternly. “There are weighty reasons.” “I am afraid you must wait a little, Mr. Aylmore, if you wish to give an explanation,” said the Coroner. He turned to the Counsel. “Who is this other witness?” he asked. Aylmore stepped back. And Spargo noticed that the younger of his two daughters was staring at him with an anxious expression. There was no distrust of her father in her face; she was anxious. She, too, slowly turned to the next witness. This man was the porter of the Embankment lodge of Middle Temple Lane. The Treasury Counsel put a straight question to him at once. “You see that gentleman,” he said, pointing to Aylmore. “Do you know him as an inmate of the Temple?” The man stared at Aylmore, evidently confused. “Why, certainly, sir!” he answered. “Quite well, sir.” “Very good. And now—what name do you know him by?” The man grew evidently more bewildered. “Name, sir. Why, Mr. Anderson, sir!” he replied. “Mr. Anderson!” CHAPTER THIRTEEN UNDER SUSPICION