Dr. Bilks barely answered the questions proposed to him. He was a prudent witness--careful not to prove too much. “Why did you sit up on this particular night, if it is not your usual custom?” “Professional duties required it,” replied the doctor, crisply; and though the examination seemed to be of no possible moment, a close observer might have detected a slight pallor in the face of the witness. “Ah, you had been out professionally, when the prisoner called for you?” “I had.” “Where had you been?” “Over beyond the Point.” “Will you be a little more definite, if you please?” said Dick, in the blandest of tones, and with the softest of smiles. “I do not know that I can describe the locality; I believe it is within the corporate limits of Poppleton,” replied Dr. Bilks, with a smile apologetic for his ignorance of mere roads and boundaries. “Who was sick?” “It was an obstetric case.” “By whom were you called?” “By a man--I don’t know who he was. He was an Irishman.” “Did he tell you where to go?” “He did.” “How did he describe the locality?” “What has all this to do with the murder on the island?” demanded the attorney for the government. Mr. Birch, without precisely stating his object, made it appear that the matter was proper--that it was not new matter, and that it was relevant. “I do not remember what his description was,” replied the doctor, when the question had been repeated. “But you went to the place indicated--did you?” “I did.” “What was the name of the lady whom you attended?” “I do not remember; I have forgotten the name. Possibly I have it in my book;” and he examined his pockets, and produced his case-book; but the name of the sick lady did not appear. “Didn’t you put the name down?” “I supposed I put the name down, but it appears that I did not,” replied Dr. Bilks, who had now become quite pale. “Are you not usually spoken to some weeks or months in advance, in such cases?” “Usually, but not in this instance.” “Did you visit this patient yesterday, or this morning?” “I did not.” “Do you leave them with only one visit, in such cases?” “Never!” “Why have you not called upon this patient then?” “I did not consider it as regularly a case of mine. The family were evidently in very indigent circumstances; and I concluded, if there was any further need of my attendance, I should be called.” “Is this your custom with poor people?” “It is not,” said the doctor, sweating like a day laborer under the cross-examination, for it was evident to all in the court-room, that there was something wrong, somewhere, though what or where it was, they could not tell. “Can you describe the house to which you went, Dr. Bilks?” “I could not.” “Did you find it readily when you went that night?” “I did not, very readily.” “Did you inquire?” “I did not; the man who came for me gave me such directions as enabled me to find the house.” “Could you go to it again?” “I doubt if I could.”