[The Blotting Book by E. F. Benson]@TWC D-Link book
The Blotting Book

CHAPTER XI
5/14

Did Mr.Taynton go into the deceased's sitting-room ?" "Yes, sir." "Did he write anything there ?" "Yes, sir." "Was he alone there ?" "Yes, sir." "Thank you." Again the examining counsel paused, and again no question was asked by the prosecution.
"Charles Martin," said the counsel for defence.
"You are a servant of the prisoner's ?" "Yes, sir." "You were in his service during this week of June, of which Friday was June 24th ?" "Yes, sir." "Describe the events--No.

Did the prisoner go up to town, or elsewhere on that day, driving his motorcar, but leaving you in Brighton ?" "Yes, sir." "Mrs.Assheton came back that morning ?" "Yes, sir." "Did anyone call that morning?
If so, who ?" "Mr.Taynton called." "Did he go to the drawing-room ?" "Yes, sir." "Did he write anything there ?" "Yes, sir; he wrote a note to Mrs.Assheton, which he gave me when he went out." "You were not in the drawing-room, when he wrote it ?" "No, sir." "Did he say anything to you when he left the house ?" "Yes, sir," "What did he say ?" The question was not challenged now.
"He told me to say that he had left the note at the door." "But he had not done so ?" "No, sir; he wrote it in the drawing-room." "Thank you.

That is all." But this witness was not allowed to pass as the others had done.

The counsel for the prosecution got up.
"You told Mrs.Assheton that it had been left at the door ?" "Yes, sir." "You knew that was untrue ?" "Yes, sir." "For what reason did you say it, then ?" Martin hesitated; he looked down, then he looked up again, and was still silent.
"Answer the question." His eyes met those of the prisoner.

Morris smiled at him, and nodded.
"Mr.Taynton told me to say that," he said, "I had once been in Mr.
Taynton's service.


<<Back  Index  Next>>

D-Link book Top

TWC mobile books