Why should I call her the deceased?'

"'Control yourself,' says Buddha. 'Control yourself.'

"He only waved and thumped again. 'I won't. I _won't_. Why should I call
her the deceased? I knew the girl. I was fond of the girl. She was my
friend. She was fond of me. I did more for her than any one in this
court--her father or any one. When she was in trouble she came to me and
I succoured her. She lived in my house. She cooked my meals for me. We
went through it together. I've known her for years. I've liked her for
years. And now she's dead and you turn around and tell me to call her
the deceased. Effie. Effie! Do you hear?--_Effie_!'

"They couldn't stop him. He was like a sick wolf then, cornered, and
Buddha like a big, wary boarhound going in at him and jumping up on the
wall out of the way when he made his dashes and then coming down and
going in at him again. But they stopped him when Humpo got at him! They
wore him down then! He was like that wolf then with a rope round his
neck, tied to a post, and every time he'd fly out with, 'Look here--Look
here--' the rope would catch him and throttle him and over he'd go and
Humpo in worrying him again.

"Like this. Link on link of the chain against him and brick by brick of
the wall around him. Like this.

"'What date did the deceased leave your wife's employment?'

"'In March. In March last year. Look here--'

"'Did she leave of her own wish or was she dismissed?'

"'Look here--'

"'Was she dismissed because your wife suspected you of relations with
her?'

"'Look here--'

"'Answer the question.'

"'Well, but look _here_--'

"'Answer the question, sir.'

"'Look _here_--'

"'Very well, sir. Very well. Answer me this question then. Is it the
fact that your wife has instituted divorce proceedings against you?'

"'Look _here_--'

"Court surging with sensation at this dramatic disclosure. Humpo mopping
his face, keeping the great forefinger going. Sabre clutching the desk
like a man in asthma, Twyning tugging at Humpo's coat. 'Yes, yes,' says
Humpo, bending down, then launches at Sabre again.

"'Is it the fact that in these proceedings the deceased woman is named
as corespondent?'

"'Look here--'

"'You keep asking me to look here, sir, but you tell me nothing. I ask
you plain questions. Have you nothing better than, "Look here"? Is it
the fact that these papers were served on you at Brighton on the
occasion of your flight?'

"'Flight--flight--Look h