"

"You have had expert testimony upon that point. Why ask me?"

"That is my affair. Answer my question."

"I must decline to do so!"

"I appeal to the court to compel the witness to answer."

"Your Honor," cried Mr. Dudley, rising, "we object. Counsel, for some
undiscoverable reason, seems determined to probe the private affairs
of our client. We think that this question is irrelevant and
incompetent."

"What is the object of this, Mr. Munson," asked the Recorder.

"Your Honor has ruled, and a million precedents uphold you, that we
may examine into the relations that existed between the accused and
the deceased."

"Your Honor," interjected Mr. Dudley, "you allowed a similar question
yesterday, because counsel argued, that if he could prove the
existence of a natural child, he would show that the deceased through
the child had strong claim upon our client. I will also call your
Honor's attention to the fact, that at that time allusion was made to
another visionary claim on the part of the prosecution. This was that
Dr. Medjora was in the position to marry a wealthy woman, and that the
poor musician, with her child, became an obstacle in his way. Now, not
a scintilla of evidence has been brought out, in substantiation of
that claim, which as I said, at that time, was made merely to affect
the jury. Moreover, since then, we have shown that this woman was the
lawful wife of Dr. Medjora, and, therefore, her having, or not having
a child, can have no possible bearing upon the issue. I hope that the
question will not be allowed."

"I cannot see," said the Recorder, "what is to be gained by this, Mr.
Munson?"

"Oh, very well, your Honor," said Mr. Munson, "if you think that it is
unnecessary to the case of the people, I will withdraw it. We only
seek for justice, despite the aspersions of counsel."

"I have no doubt whatever of your conscientiousness," said the
Recorder, to mollify the rising anger of Mr. Munson. The examination
then proceeded.

"You told us yesterday, that you had received a letter whilst in
Europe, in which Miss Sloane wrote that Dr. Meredith was persecuting
her with his attentions. Of course you have that letter?"

"No! It has been lost, unfortunately!"

"Unfortunately lost! I should say most unfortunately lost, since it is
the only corroboration you had of your remarkable statement. How did
you happen to lose this precious document?"

"I think that it was stolen when my office was searc