WITNESS: Yes, a long conversation with him in company with his sister. MR. WALTERS: Was Jasper satisfied with the explanation given to him? WITNESS: No, I’m afraid not. A few days afterwards, when I was endeavouring to make peace between the two combatants, and arranged a meeting, Jasper took the opportunity to show me his diary, in which he had written his fears and suspicions in regard to his dear boy’s safety. MR. WALTERS: Fears and suspicions? WITNESS: That was the phrase. MR. WALTERS: May we take it then, that this man was always harping on danger and using the word “Murder,” and influencing your mind against Neville Landless? WITNESS: I am afraid that was the impression which I derived. MR. WALTERS: Was that the impression left in your mind after the conversation with John Jasper? WITNESS: Yes. MR. WALTERS: I think you know that on the Christmas Eve following, there was a friendly little party? WITNESS: Yes; I was instrumental in arranging it. MR. WALTERS: Following on that, Neville Landless was, on the following day, to start on a walking expedition? WITNESS: Yes. MR. WALTERS: Did he tell you all about it? WITNESS: Oh, yes. MR. WALTERS: He was quite frank? WITNESS: Quite frank. MR. WALTERS: Did he start to carry out his plans? WITNESS: He started. MR. WALTERS: On the Christmas morning, early? WITNESS: Yes. MR. WALTERS: Do you remember that Christmas Eve? WITNESS: Perfectly. MR. WALTERS: Why? WITNESS: Especially because of the beauty of Evensong that day. John Jasper was in splendid voice that day, and I congratulated him when he came out of the Cathedral. I said he must be in very good health. MR. WALTERS: Very good health: did he say anything? WITNESS: He said he _was_ in very good health, and that the black humours were passing from him, and that he would have to burn his diary—consign it to the flames—that was the phrase. MR. WALTERS: He also laughed? WITNESS: He went laughing up the postern gate. MR. WALTERS: Do you mind telling us whether laughing was common with John Jasper. WITNESS: No. MR. WALTERS: In short, you thought it an exceptional piece of good humour? WITNESS: Yes; he made that impression on me. MR. WALTERS: Do you remember what sort of night it was? WITNESS: A terrible night of storm. MR. WALTERS: Let us get on to the next morning. The next morning what happened? WITNESS: Before I was about, while I was still in my dressing room, I was aware of a great noise at my gate, and there I saw John Jasper, insufficiently attired, crying very loudly to me in the house. I looked out, and asked what was the matter, and he said, “Where is my nephew?” Naturally, I said to him, “Why should you ask me?” and he said, “Last evening, very late, he went down to the river to see the storm, in company with Mr. Neville Landless,” since when nothing had been heard of him. And then he said, “Call Mr. Neville.” I told him Neville had already started.