Nobody 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 the answer had aroused different feelings in Aylmore’s two daughters.  The elder one had dropped her face until it was quite hidden; the younger was sitting bolt upright, staring at her father in utter and genuine bewilderment.  And for the first time, Aylmore made no response to her.

But the course of things was going steadily forward.  There was no stopping the Treasury Counsel now; he was going to get at some truth in his own merciless fashion.  He had exchanged one glance with the Coroner, had whispered a word to the solicitor who sat close by him, and now he turned again to the witness.