MR. CHESTERTON: If my learned friend will look at the first
paragraph he will see that in cross-examination the formal witnesses
may, in response to specific questions, give explanations not
expressly contained in the book.
MR. WALTERS: Then I must re-examine the witness.
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.
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.