"This is a most remarkable statement," observed the judge, regarding the
woman keenly. "You swear positively that the prisoner was not the
murderer?"
"Yes, my lord."
"Then surely you would be able to recognise the man whom you assert
stabbed your mistress? Have you seen him since?"
"Never."
"Don't tell me his name, but answer me; do you know it?"
"No; my mistress always called him Victor, and told me, whenever he
came, to announce him as Monsieur. He, too, always addressed her by her
Christian name."
"Why did you not give information to the police at the time?" asked his
lordship.
"Because I should have been prosecuted for robbery," she replied,
confusedly.
"I have only one question, m'lord," exclaimed counsel for the
prosecution, rising. Turning to the witness, he asked: "When was the
first occasion upon which you saw the prisoner?"
"Half-an-hour ago."
"And you positively swear you never saw him before to-day?"
"I do."
"Witness," said the judge, "you will give the police a detailed
description of the man you saw commit the murder. That will do."
Mr Roland and Vera were in earnest conversation. He appeared to be
dubious about some point upon which she was trying to convince him.
The spectators were eager for the next development of the curious case.
They had followed the verbal duel with the same interest as that
inspired by a thrilling drama performed by first-class artistes.
Several times already applause had almost broken out, and was only
suppressed by the dread of the Court being cleared.
"The next witness, m'lord, will be Boris Seroff," Mr Roland said,
glancing hesitatingly at his brief, while Vera retired to a seat where I
could not observe her.
"Seroff!" I repeated to myself, "who can he be? Surely he must be a
relation of Vera's; and yet I've never heard of him!"
The name was shouted down the corridor outside the Court; then there was
a movement among the eager crowd which stood about the door, and a man
advanced towards the witness-box.
Instantly I recognised him. It was the murderer!
What fresh intrigue was this?