Mr. Allen was now completely
quieted. The speech had acted like a charm. He rose immediately.
"Mr. Broad," he said deliberately, but with much emphasis--you might
have heard a pin drop--"the value of the testimony just given depends
upon character of the witness. May I ask him to explain HOW HE CAME
BY THAT SCAR ON THE BACK OF HIS HAND?"
Mr. Allen remained standing. There was no sign of an answer. He sat
down for a moment but still there was no movement. He rose again.
"Mr. Broad, as there is no reply, will you permit me to give the
explanation?"
Mr. Thomas Broad then slowly erected himself near the table at which
his father was sitting. He held on by it hard, and gulped down half
a glass of water which was there. His tallowy face looked more
tallowy than ever, and his voice shook most unpleasantly as he was
just heard to say that he did not know with what object the question
was put--that it--that it--seemed--seemed irrel--irrelev--and these
were the last syllables ever heard from the lips of Mr. Thomas in
Tanner's Lane, for he dropped into his seat and apparently fainted.
There was great confusion while his recovery was attempted.
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