JUDGE: I should suggest that question is very improper. We are all under the influence of each other to a great extent. I am as much under the influence of the foreman of the Jury that I almost entirely agree with the view that he takes of the situation when he mentions it. But I think it is not quite proper to say “Is he under the influence of his sister?” Surely? MR. WALTERS: But, my Lord, this gentleman knows both parties, and is perfectly acquainted with their relationships. WITNESS: Yes, well. JUDGE: I—— MR. WALTERS: I will not press the point. I will ask you, Mr. Crisparkle, have you any influence? WITNESS: Is that proper, my Lord? JUDGE: Quite proper. WITNESS: I should say I have done my best. I have talked to him from time to time and found him very anxious to profit by any words I was able to say. MR. WALTERS: You said he was impetuous. Perhaps he has one or two little faults of that sort. Would you regard them as dangerous? WITNESS: No, no; oh no. The faults of an undisciplined boy. MR. WALTERS: Has he any good qualities? WITNESS: Many, which appear to me to far outweigh the others. MR. WALTERS: Suppose Neville Landless had a little quarrel with another young man. Would you attach much importance to it? WITNESS: No, I think not: very little, I think. Hot-tempered youth—soon over. He would be the first to regret it. MR. WALTERS: Did you know Edwin Drood? WITNESS: Yes. MR. WALTERS: And you heard of a quarrel between him and Neville Landless? WITNESS: Yes. MR. WALTERS: Who told you about that quarrel? WITNESS: Well, in the first instance, Neville Landless mentioned it to me when he came back to my house. He said he had made a bad beginning and was sorry. But immediately afterwards John Jasper came to the house, and gave me what I am bound to say was a very different account indeed. MR. WALTERS: This is the John Jasper who had already deceived you? WITNESS: Who had perhaps misled me by suppression. MR. WALTERS: He was the John Jasper who was Edwin Drood’s rival for Rosa Bud? WITNESS: It would appear so. MR. WALTERS: You say he gave a strong account of the quarrel—Is that correct? WITNESS: It is more than correct. He said, when he came into the room, that he had had an awful time with him. I said, “Surely not as bad as that!” and he said “Murderous—murderous!” MR. WALTERS: Are you sure he used the word “Murderous”? WITNESS: I am absolutely certain. MR. WALTERS: What did you say to that? WITNESS: I said, “I must beg you not to use quite such strong language.” He continued to use even stronger terms. He said there was something tigerish in Neville’s blood. He was afraid he would have struck his dear boy, as he called him, down at his feet. MR. WALTERS: You are quite sure those were his words? WITNESS: Absolutely. MR. WALTERS: And I suppose, following on that, you asked for an explanation from Neville? Did you have any conversation with him?