And the Coroner,
motioning Zillah to leave the witness-box, interrupted Mr. Parminter in
the midst of a pinch of snuff.
"I think it will be best to adjourn at this stage," he said. "It is
obvious that we can't finish this today." He turned to the jurymen. "I
propose to adjourn this enquiry for a week, gentlemen," he went on. "In
the meantime--"
His attention was suddenly arrested by Melky Rubinstein, who, after much
uneasiness and fidgeting, rose from his seat and made his way to the foot
of the table, manifestly desiring to speak.
"What is it?" asked the Coroner. "Who are you? Oh!--the witness who
identified the body. Yes?"
"Mr. Coroner!" said Melky, in his most solemn tones. "This here inquest
ain't being conducted right, sir! I don't mean by you--but these here
gentlemen, the police, and Mr. Parminter there, is going off on a wrong
scent. I know what they're after, and they're wrong! They're suppressing
evidence, Mr. Coroner." Melky turned on Ayscough. "What about the clue o'
this here old book?" he demanded. "Why ain't you bringing that forward?
I'm the late Daniel Multenius's nearest male relative, and I say that
clue's a deal more important nor what we've been hearing all the morning.
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