MR. CHESTERTON: Certainly. MR. CROTCH: Now, Mr. Durdles, have you ever admitted Mr. Datchery to the Sapsea vault? WITNESS: Not that I can remember. MR. CROTCH: If you cannot remember admitting Datchery, do you at any time remember admitting anybody else? WITNESS: No; I can’t say as I do. MR. CROTCH: Thank you, Mr. Durdles. MR. WALTERS: I won’t trouble you to re-examine you, Mr. Durdles. WITNESS: Well, good day. I’ll drink your health on the way home, and I won’t go home till morning—I beg your pardon, my Lord. [EVIDENCE OF REVEREND CANON CRISPARKLE.] MR. WALTERS: The Reverend Canon Crisparkle. USHER: Reverend Canon Crisparkle. [That gentleman responded to the call, and entering the witness box, was duly sworn.] THE FOREMAN: May I interpose for a moment? This gentleman has been called as the Reverend Septimus Crisparkle. I submit to your Lordship that his real name is Christopher Nubbles, a man who was tried before you on the information of a certain Mr. Chuckster, on the charge of being a snob, and you, in one of those summings-up which have made your name famous wherever the English language is spoken, found that the charge brought by Mr. Chuckster was well and truly proved. Now, I contend that Mr. Christopher Nubbles has gone to Cloisterham, become a Minor Canon, taken the name of Crisparkle, and is here obviously a more intolerable snob than ever. MR. WALTERS: Mr. Crisparkle; I believe you are a Minor Canon of Cloisterham Cathedral? WITNESS: I am, sir. MR. WALTERS: I believe your identity has never been disputed until this moment? WITNESS: Never. I am glad to be able to answer that impertinent reflection. MR. WALTERS: Do you happen to know John Jasper? WITNESS: Very well. He was associated with me daily in the duties of the Cathedral. MR. WALTERS: Did he ever tell you about his affection for his nephew, Edwin Drood? WITNESS: Constantly. MR. WALTERS: And did he, while in this confidential mood, also tell you of his great affection for Miss Rosa Bud? WITNESS: No, I cannot charge my memory that he ever mentioned affection for her. MR. WALTERS: Well, then, in that matter John Jasper deceived you? WITNESS: Well, shall we say deceived? Guilty of a lapse of confidence to a priest. Theologically speaking it would be deceit, perhaps. MR. WALTERS: I believe, Mr. Crisparkle, that you have been acting as tutor to Neville Landless? WITNESS: Yes. MR. WALTERS: Do you mind telling the court the opinion you formed of that man’s character? WITNESS: I should say a very impulsive man, but responsive to influence of any kind. MR. WALTERS: I think he has a sister? WITNESS: Oh, yes: Miss Helena Landless. MR. WALTERS: Is he under her influence at all? WITNESS: Yes, I should say she exercises a good and strong influence upon him.