Read Ebook: Trial of John Jasper lay precentor of Cloisterham Cathedral in the County of Kent for the murder of Edwin Drood engineer by Dickens Fellowship London England Chesterton G K Gilbert Keith Other Ley J W T James William Thomas Other

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MR. CROTCH: Well, now, Mr. Durdles, I will ask you another question. As a matter of fact, have you not on many occasions chased little boys and others out of the crypt?

WITNESS: Yes, and they've chased me.

MR. CROTCH: Where did these boys find their way into the crypt?

WITNESS: Ay?

MR. CROTCH: You don't know?

WITNESS: No, I don't.

MR. CROTCH: You swear you don't know?

WITNESS: Ay, I swear I don't know.

MR. CROTCH: You have never seen them creeping through the windows of the crypt?

WITNESS: Might be; when I've been sober.

MR. CROTCH: That'll do. Now, you tell us that you met Mr. Datchery. Is that so?

WITNESS: Yes.

MR. CROTCH: Have you ever admitted Mr. Datchery to the Sapsea vault?

MR. WALTERS: This is going far beyond--

MR. CHESTERTON: If my learned friend will look at the first paragraph he will see that in cross-examination the formal witnesses may, in response to specific questions, give explanations not expressly contained in the book.

MR. WALTERS: Then I must re-examine the witness.

MR. CHESTERTON: Certainly.

MR. CROTCH: Now, Mr. Durdles, have you ever admitted Mr. Datchery to the Sapsea vault?

WITNESS: Not that I can remember.

MR. CROTCH: If you cannot remember admitting Datchery, do you at any time remember admitting anybody else?

WITNESS: No; I can't say as I do.

MR. CROTCH: Thank you, Mr. Durdles.

MR. WALTERS: I won't trouble you to re-examine you, Mr. Durdles.

WITNESS: Well, good day. I'll drink your health on the way home, and I won't go home till morning--I beg your pardon, my Lord.

MR. WALTERS: The Reverend Canon Crisparkle.

USHER: Reverend Canon Crisparkle.

THE FOREMAN: May I interpose for a moment? This gentleman has been called as the Reverend Septimus Crisparkle. I submit to your Lordship that his real name is Christopher Nubbles, a man who was tried before you on the information of a certain Mr. Chuckster, on the charge of being a snob, and you, in one of those summings-up which have made your name famous wherever the English language is spoken, found that the charge brought by Mr. Chuckster was well and truly proved. Now, I contend that Mr. Christopher Nubbles has gone to Cloisterham, become a Minor Canon, taken the name of Crisparkle, and is here obviously a more intolerable snob than ever.

MR. WALTERS: Mr. Crisparkle; I believe you are a Minor Canon of Cloisterham Cathedral?

WITNESS: I am, sir.

MR. WALTERS: I believe your identity has never been disputed until this moment?

WITNESS: Never. I am glad to be able to answer that impertinent reflection.

MR. WALTERS: Do you happen to know John Jasper?

WITNESS: Very well. He was associated with me daily in the duties of the Cathedral.

MR. WALTERS: Did he ever tell you about his affection for his nephew, Edwin Drood?

WITNESS: Constantly.

MR. WALTERS: And did he, while in this confidential mood, also tell you of his great affection for Miss Rosa Bud?

WITNESS: No, I cannot charge my memory that he ever mentioned affection for her.

MR. WALTERS: Well, then, in that matter John Jasper deceived you?

WITNESS: Well, shall we say deceived? Guilty of a lapse of confidence to a priest. Theologically speaking it would be deceit, perhaps.

MR. WALTERS: I believe, Mr. Crisparkle, that you have been acting as tutor to Neville Landless?

WITNESS: Yes.

MR. WALTERS: Do you mind telling the court the opinion you formed of that man's character?

WITNESS: I should say a very impulsive man, but responsive to influence of any kind.

MR. WALTERS: I think he has a sister?

WITNESS: Oh, yes: Miss Helena Landless.

MR. WALTERS: Is he under her influence at all?

WITNESS: Yes, I should say she exercises a good and strong influence upon him.

JUDGE: I should suggest that question is very improper. We are all under the influence of each other to a great extent. I am as much under the influence of the foreman of the Jury that I almost entirely agree with the view that he takes of the situation when he mentions it. But I think it is not quite proper to say "Is he under the influence of his sister?" Surely?

MR. WALTERS: But, my Lord, this gentleman knows both parties, and is perfectly acquainted with their relationships.

WITNESS: Yes, well.

MR. WALTERS: I will not press the point. I will ask you, Mr. Crisparkle, have you any influence?

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