Page:The Art of Cross-Examination.djvu/190

 "Russell (reading). I assure your Grace that I have no other motive except to respectfully suggest that your Grace would communicate the substance to some one or other of the parties concerned, to whom I could furnish details, exhibit proofs, and suggest how the coming blow may be effectually met." What do you say to that, Mr. Pigott?'

"Pigott. 'I have nothing to say except that I do not recollect anything about it absolutely.'

"Russell. 'What was the coming blow?'

"Pigott. 'I suppose the coming publication.'

"Russell. 'How was it to be effectively met?'

"Pigott. 'I have not the slightest idea.'

"Russell. 'Assuming the letters to be genuine, does it not even now occur to your mind how it could be effectively met?'

"Pigott. 'No.'

"Pigott now looked like a man, after the sixth round in a prize fight, who had been knocked down in every round. But Russell showed him no mercy. I shall take another extract.

"Russell. 'Whatever the charges in "Parnellism and Crime," including the letters, were, did you believe them to be true or not?'

"Pigott. 'How can I say that when I say I do not know what the charges were? I say I do not recollect