"Well," was the impatient
reply, "there's the same date and name, and both in my writing." But
even thus much of doubt he speedily retracted, and his evidence
could not be practically undermined.
Harriet's examination was long and searching, but she bore it
without the slightest damage to her credit. Plain, straightforward,
and stubborn were all her replies and assertions; she did not
contradict herself once. Waymark marvelled at her appearance and
manner. The venom of malice had acted upon her as a tonic,
strengthening her intellect, and bracing her nerves. Once she looked
directly into Ida's face and smiled.
Mrs. Sprowl had been summoned, and appeared in all the magnificence
of accumulated rings, bracelets, necklaces, and watch-chains. Helter
hoped to make good use of her.
"Did you on a certain occasion go to the person in whose employ the
prisoner was, and, by means of certain representations with regard
to the prisoner's antecedents, become the cause of her dismissal?"
"I did. I told all I knew about her, and I consider I'd a right to
do so."
Mrs. Sprowl was not to be robbed of her self-assurance by any array
of judicial dignity.
"What led you to do this?"
"A good enough one, I think.
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