“That is the rule,” said Sir Terence, “and rightly so, for, as in the present instance, the prisoner’s own statement may make it necessary.” The president gave way, thereby renewing Miss Armytage’s terrors and shaking at last even the prisoner’s calm. Sergeant Flynn was the first of the witnesses recalled at Sir Terence’s request, and it was Sir Terence who took up his re-examination. “You said, I think, that you were standing in the guardroom doorway when Captain Tremayne passed you at twenty minutes to twelve on the night of the 28th?” “Yes, sir. I had turned out upon hearing the curricle draw up. I had come to see who it was.” “Naturally. Well, now, did you observe which way Captain Tremayne went?--whether he went along the passage leading to the garden or up the stairs to the offices?” The sergeant considered for a moment, and Captain Tremayne became conscious for the first time that morning that his pulses were throbbing. At last his dreadful suspense came to an end. “No, sir. Captain Tremayne turned the corner, and was out of my sight, seeing that I didn’t go beyond the guardroom doorway.” Sir Terence’s lips parted with a snap of impatience. “But you must have heard,” he insisted. “You must have heard his steps--whether they went upstairs or straight on.” “I am afraid I didn’t take notice, sir.” “But even without taking notice it seems impossible that you should not have heard the direction of his steps. Steps going up stairs sound quite differently from steps walking along the level. Try to think.” The sergeant considered again. But the president interposed. The testiness which Sir Terence had been at no pains to conceal annoyed Sir Harry, and this insistence offended his sense of fair play. “The witness has already said that the didn’t take notice. I am afraid it can serve no good purpose to compel him to strain his memory. The court could hardly rely upon his answer after what he has said already.” “Very well,” said Sir Terence curtly. “We will pass on. After the body of Count Samoval had been removed from the courtyard, did Mullins, my butler, come to you?” “Yes, Sir Terence.” “What was his message? Please tell the court.” “He brought me a letter with instructions that it was to be forwarded first thing in the morning to the Commissary-General’s office.” “Did he make any statement beyond that when he delivered that letter?” The sergeant pondered a moment. “Only that he had been bringing it when he found Count Samoval’s body.” “That is all I wish to ask, Sir Harry,” O’Moy intimated, and looked round at his fellow-members of that court as if to inquire whether they had drawn any inference from the sergeant’s statements. “Have you any questions to ask the witness, Captain Tremayne?” the president inquired. “None, sir,” replied the prisoner. Came Private Bates next, and Sir Terence proceeded to question him..