are here as a witness in the case of Mr.
Owen Morgan, charged with complicity in the murder of Robert Ashton."

The Major bowed, but remained silent.

"When did you first meet Mr. Morgan?"

"The night he first came to my house, five days ago."

"Never saw him before?"

"Never. Mr. Ashton offered him a place in his motor, on his way to my
house. On account of the storm, he stopped there and remained over
night."

"It is supposed that this murder had as a motive the securing of a
valuable emerald in Mr. Ashton's possession. When Mr. Ashton first
exhibited it to you, was Mr. Morgan present?"

"He was."

"Did he know the value of the jewel?"

"I do not know. I think the matter was mentioned at the table."

"You had agreed to give your daughter's hand in marriage to Mr. Ashton,
in return for obtaining for you this jewel. Is that true?"

"Yes," the Major faltered.

"Was your daughter opposed to this arrangement?"

"She was."

"And you insisted upon it?"

"I had given my word as a gentleman."

"The securing of the jewel, then, from Mr. Ashton would have released
her from the arrangement?"

"If Mr. Ashton had not had it, he could not have carried out his
agreement, of course."

"At what time did you retire on the night of the murder?"

"Shortly before midnight."

"After Mr. Ashton?"

"Yes--I saw him to his room."

"After that you retired at once?"

"Yes."

"Did you wake during the night?"

"Not until I was aroused by Mr. Morgan's cries--about daybreak, or a
little before."

"Was it light?"

"Hardly--it was just before sunrise."

"You did not leave your room, from the time you retired, until you heard
Mr. Morgan's cries?"

"No."

"What did you do then?"

"I threw on some clothing and ran along the hall into the west wing. I
sleep at the other end of the house in the east wing. When I arrived at
Mr. Ashton's door, Mr. Morgan was trying to open it. My man, Gibson, who
also heard the cries, came along, followed by one of the maids."

"Did your daughter join you?"

"Yes, almost immediately."

"How was she dressed?"

"She wore a dressing gown and slippers."

"You heard no other cries but Mr. Morgan's?"

"No."

"What happened then?"

"Mr. Morgan and Gibson broke open the door, which was bolted. The maid
brought a candle. I ordered my daughter to retire. Mr. Morgan and I
entered the room with the candle and closed the door. We found Mr.
Ashton on the floor dead."

"What did yo