Explore "Dr Thorndyke Intervenes" by R. Austin Freeman on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
The adjourned hearing in the Probate Court opened in an atmosphere which the reporters would have described as "tense." The judge had not yet learned the result of the exhumation (or he pretended that he hadn't) and when Mr. Gimbler took his place in the witness-box, his lordship regarded him with very evident interest and curiosity. The examination in chief was conducted by Mr. McGonnell's junior, this being the first chance that he had got of displaying his forensic skill--and a mighty small chance at that. For Gimbler's evidence amounted to no more than a recital of facts which were known to us all (excepting, perhaps, the judge) with certain inevitable inferences.
"You were present at the opening of the vault containing the coffin of Josiah Pippet, deceased?"