Page:Richard Marsh--The goddess a demon.djvu/220

208 to assert his own guilt. That this assertion rests on no basis of truth there can be no sort of doubt. Its only purpose can be to throw dust in the eyes of the police; and, especially, to render his own evidence ineligible. His own evidence is of capital importance. And I ask your assistance, Mr. Coroner, in my endeavour to prevent a miscarriage of justice, owing to Mr. Ferguson's refusal to answer any questions which I may put to him."

"Certainly. Witness, you will answer any proper questions which are put to you, at once, and without any beating about the bush."

"I rather fancy that that's a point on which I shall please myself."

The coroner banged his hand upon the table.

"Don't speak to me like that, sir, or you'll find yourself in the wrong box. If you don't answer the questions which are put to you, I'll commit you for contempt of Court."

"Commit."

I should have liked to commit an assault upon the coroner. But he thought proper to ignore my challenge, and addressed himself to Mr. Jordan.

"Put your question again. I am amazed to find a person of the apparent position of the witness behaving in so discreditable a manner."

"Now, Mr. Ferguson. I ask you again: Did