Page:Richard Marsh--The goddess a demon.djvu/222

210 "I am not aware of any reason why impertinent questions should be answered under one set of circumstances rather than another."

"Don't argue with me. Will you answer the question which counsel has put to you?"

"My good Mr. Coroner"

"I commit you for contempt. Officer, arrest this man."

"If the gentleman in question is wise enough to take my seriously offered advice, he will not attempt to do anything so foolish." Hume, who was sitting opposite, rose and leaned towards me across the table.

"Are you stark mad? What useful purpose do you propose to serve by going to goal? Or what good do you suppose you will do her by fumbling with the questions? You will have to speak out sooner or later. Speak out now! Tell the truth! That is the only way in which you can do her a service."

Jordan struck in; still twirling the scrap of paper into spirals with his fingers:

"Might I ask you, Mr. Coroner, to request your officer to refrain for a moment from carrying out your instructions? Perhaps Mr. Ferguson may be disposed to listen to this gentleman's wise and friendly counsel. Don't you think, sir, that you had better?"

I laughed.