I told him that he should not make such statements without an atom of proof, but, interrupting me, he declared that, fever or no fever, he would attend upon Lady Colford, as he could not afford to throw away the best chance he had ever had.

I said, 'My dear fellow, don't be mad.

Why, if anything happened to her under the circumstances, I believe that, after I have warned you, you would be liable to be criminally prosecuted for culpable negligence.' 'Thank you,' he answered, 'nothing will happen to her, I know my own business, and I will take the chance of that'; and then, before I could speak again, lifting up his bag from the chair on which he had placed it, he opened the front door and went out." I will not attempt, especially after this lapse of years, to describe the feelings with which I listened to this amazing evidence.

The black wickedness and the cold-blooded treachery of the man overwhelmed and paralysed me, so that when, after some further testimony, the chairman asked me if I had any questions to put to the witness, I could only stammer:-- "It is a lie, an infamous lie!" "No, no," said the chairman kindly, "if you wish to make a statement, you will have an opportunity of doing so presently.

Have you any questions to ask the witness ?" I shook my head.