“And then Mr. Egerton himself was put in the box and he told exactly the same story !” Mrs. Vincent said these words with a huge ironical emphasis, as if it would have reflected credit on Mr. Egerton had he invented an entirely new story for the purposes of the inquest.

“He told exactly the same story, and he told it very badly, in my opinion⁠— you know, hesitating and mumbling, as if he was keeping something back⁠—and looking at the floor all the time.”

“We must remember he’s naturally a very shy man,” said Mr. Dimple, “and a public inquest, at the best⁠—”