Page:Henry Northcote (IA henrynorthcote00snairich).pdf/232

 "The police could take away your means of livelihood without giving you warning; and without giving you a moment's notice they could put you in prison?"

"Yes, sir."

"And whenever the police ask you to serve them, whenever they ask you to oblige them in any way, you feel obliged to carry out their wishes, whatever the cost may be to yourself?"

"Yes, sir."

"Even when they cause you to hurt a friend by stating that which you know to be not quite true?"

"Yes, sir."

"On one occasion, Mrs. Walsingham, to help the police, you identified a man whom they suggested had robbed you?"

"Yes, sir."

"And your own testimony and the testimony of several of your friends enabled them to send this unfortunate man into penal servitude?"

"Yes, sir."

"I use the word 'unfortunate,' Mrs. Walsingham, because this man, after languishing many years in prison, was able to prove, to the satisfaction of his fellow creatures, that he was perfectly innocent of the scandalous charge that was brought against him. But at the time of his conviction, when the police had called upon you for your help, you did not dare to tell the judge and the jury that you had not been robbed by this man, and that you had never seen him in your life before?"

"Yes, sir."

"This was an instance in which you felt the