Page:That Royle Girl (Balmer).pdf/251

 "Sustained," ruled the judge.

Max Elmen, having delivered his inference, dutifully amended his question: "He engaged it upon that first evening?"

"Yes."

"When was the next time you saw him?"

"It was about a week later."

"A week?"

"A week," lied Joan Daisy.

"This was after he moved into the flat below you?"

"Yes."

"How long after?"

"Four or five days after," lied Joan Daisy, faithfully.

"Then after having moved into the flat below you, he made no effort to pursue you?"

"I object!" protested Mr. Clarke.

"Sustained," ruled the court.

"After Fred moved into the flat below you, did he make an effort to pursue you?" amended Max.

"No," Joan Daisy lied.

"You may relate to the jury the nature of your association with Fred Ketlar leading to his presence with you and with your father in your apartment upon the night when his wife was killed."

Joan Daisy turned to the jury, as Mr. Elmen had warned her to do whenever he specifically mentioned "jury"; she gazed at the men staring at her; she glanced at Mr. Clarke and she thought how impossible to tell the truth!

Suppose she risked it and related how Ket had leased the flat below hers for the sake of being near her; suppose she told how he had sought her and followed her, had made love to her, and how she had had to fight him off whenever they were alone and every moment watch