"Lies, lies, lies!" he clamoured, and his interruption coming at such a time served to impress the Duke most unfavourably--as well it might.
"It is our wish to hear this lady out, Mr. Trenchard," the Duke reproved him.
But Mr. Trenchard was undismayed. Indeed, he had just discovered a hitherto neglected card, which should put an end to this dangerous game.
"I do abhor to hear Your Grace's patience thus abused," he exclaimed with some show of heat. "This lady makes a mock of you. If you'll allow me to ask two questions--or perhaps three--I'll promise finally to prick this bubble for you. Have I Your Grace's leave?"
"Well, well," said Albemarle. "Let us hear your questions." And his colleagues nodded.
Trenchard turned airily to Ruth. Behind her Diana sat--an attendant had fetched a chair for her--in fear and wonder at what she saw and heard, her eyes ever and anon straying to Sir Rowland's back, which was towards her.
"This letter, madam," said he, "for the possession of which you have accounted in so... so... picturesque a manner, was intended for and addressed to Mr. Wilding, you say. And you are prepared to swear to it?"
Ruth turned indignantly to the Bench. "Must I answer this man's questions?" she demanded.
"I think, perhaps, it were best you did," said the Duke, still showing her all deference.
She turned to Trenchard, her head high, her eyes full upon his wrinkled, cynical face. "I swear, then..." she began, but he--consummate actor that he was and versed in tricks that impress an audience--interrupted her, raising one of his gnarled, yellow hands.
"Nay, nay," said he. "I would not have perjury proved against you. I do not ask you to swear. It will be sufficient if you pronounce yourself prepared to swear."
She pouted her lip a trifle, her whole expression manifesting her contempt of him. "I am in no fear of perjuring myself," she answered fearlessly. "And I swear that the letter in question was addressed to Mr. Wilding."
"As you will," said Trenchard, and was careful not to ask her how she came by her knowledge. "The letter, no doubt, was in an outer wrapper, on which there would be a superscription--the name of the person to whom the letter was addressed?" he half questioned, and Luttrell, who saw the drift of the question, nodded gravely.
"No doubt," said Ruth.
"Now you will acknowledge, I am sure, madam, that such a wrapper would be a document of the greatest importance, as important, indeed, as the letter itself, since we could depend upon it finally to clear up this point on which we differ. You will admit so much, I think?"