obody else wanted to ask Mr. David Lyell any questions, and he stepped
down. And Mr. Aylmore suddenly came forward again, seeking the
Coroner's attention.

"May I be allowed to make an explanation, sir?" he began. "I--"

But the Treasury Counsel was on his feet, this time stern and
implacable. "I would point out, sir, that you have had Mr. Aylmore in
the box, and that he was not then at all ready to give explanations, or
even to answer questions," he said. "And before you allow him to make
any explanation now, I ask you to hear another witness whom I wish to
interpose at this stage. That witness is----"

Mr. Aylmore turned almost angrily to the Coroner.

"After the evidence of the last witness, I think I have a right to be
heard at once!" he said with emphasis. "As matters stand at present, it
looks as if I had trifled, sir, with you and the jury, whereas if I am
allowed to make an explanation--"

"I must respectfully ask that before Mr. Aylmore is allowed to make any
explanation, the witness I have referred to is heard," said the
Treasury Counsel sternly. "There are weighty reasons."

"I am afraid you must wait a little, Mr. Aylmore, if you wish to give
an explanation," said the Coroner. He turned to the Counsel. "Who is
this other witness?" he asked.

Aylmore stepped back. And Spargo noticed that the younger of his two
daughters was staring at him with an anxious expression. There was no
distrust of her father in her face; she was anxious. She, too, slowly
turned to the next witness. This man was the porter of the Embankment
lodge of Middle Temple Lane. The Treasury Counsel put a straight
question to him at once.

"You see that gentleman," he said, pointing to Aylmore. "Do you know
him as an inmate of the Temple?"

The man stared at Aylmore, evidently confused.

"Why, certainly, sir!" he answered. "Quite well, sir."

"Very good. And now--what name do you know him by?"

The man grew evidently more bewildered.

"Name, sir. Why, Mr. Anderson, sir!" he replied. "Mr. Anderson!"

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

UNDER SUSPICION

A distinct, uncontrollable murmur of surprise ran round the packed
court as this man in the witness-box gave this answer. It signified
many things--that there were people present who had expected some such
dramatic development; that there were others present who had not; that
the answer itself was only a prelude to further developments. And
Spargo, looking narrowly about him, saw that t