Part 52 (2/2)

”'No. Purchases? No. Look here--'

”'Never mind about ”Look here,” sir. No purchases? Did you hear the evidence of the witness--the Alton chemist who declared on oath that you made a purchase in his shop on the very day before you started, a purchase you have admitted? Remembering that, do you still say you made no purchases for your--holiday?'

”'Nothing to do with it. Nothing--'

”'Nothing to do with it? Well, sir, we will accept that for a moment. Do you often go shopping in Alton?'

”The poor beggar shook his head. No voice in his throat.

”'Do you shop there once in a month, once in six months?'

”Shook again.

”'Are there chemists in the Garden House, in Tidborough, in Chovensbury?'

”Nods.

”'Are you known in all these places I have mentioned?'

”Nods.

”'Are you known in Alton?'

”Shakes.

”'Are all these places nearer to you than Alton?'

”Nods.

”Humpo's finger shoots out about two yards long; dashes back his mane with his other hand; rushes in from under it. 'Then, sir, will you tell the jury why, to make this purchase of oxalic acid on the day before you leave home, why you go to a place in which you are unknown and to a place farther away from you than three other centres, one at your very door?'

”Sabre sees like a hit in the face this new thing that's coming to him.

Gasps. Puts up his hand to that choked throat of his. Strangles out, 'Look here--'

”'Answer the question, sir.'

”Stammers out like a chap croaking. 'Walk. Walk. Wanted a walk. Wanted to get out. Wanted to get away from it.'

”Back goes the mane and in again like a flash: 'Ah, you wanted to get out of it? The house with its inmates was becoming insupportable to you?'

”'Look here--'

”'I am giving you your own words, sir. Do you tell us that, although you were leaving--for a holiday--on the very next day still, even on the afternoon before, you felt you must get out of it? Is that right, sir?'

”'Look here-'

”'Very well. Let us leave that, sir. We seem to be compelled to leave a great deal, but the jury will acquit me of fault in the matter. Let us come to the purpose of this oxalic acid purchase. Nothing to do with your holiday, you say. With what then? For what purpose?'

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