"On Monday evening last, did you purchase strychnine for the
purpose of poisoning a dog?"
Inglethorp replied with perfect calmness:
"No, I did not. There is no dog at Styles, except an outdoor
sheepdog, which is in perfect health."
"You deny absolutely having purchased strychnine from Albert Mace
on Monday last?"
"I do."
"Do you also deny _this_?"
The Coroner handed him the register in which his signature was
inscribed.
"Certainly I do. The hand-writing is quite different from mine.
I will show you."
He took an old envelope out of his pocket, and wrote his name on
it, handing it to the jury. It was certainly utterly dissimilar.
"Then what is your explanation of Mr. Mace's statement?"
Alfred Inglethorp replied imperturbably:
"Mr. Mace must have been mistaken."
The Coroner hesitated for a moment, and then said:
"Mr. Inglethorp, as a mere matter of form, would you mind telling
us where you were on the evening of Monday, July 16th?"
"Really--I can't remember."
"That is absurd, Mr.
Pages:
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153