J. S. Fletcher

“ It was drowned by the sharp accents of the barrister.
"I must ask you, sir, to read that letter to the jury," he said.
The Coroner looked round on Mr. Fransemmery and his eleven companions. Clearly, he had no relish for the task which his duties imposed. But he braced himself—with another look which took in the whole scene before him.
"This letter, gentlemen," he said, turning again to the jury, "is written on a sheet of note-paper, on which is engraved the address Greycloister, Selcaster, and it is dated December 8th, 1905. ”

“ Harborough himself and to his legal adviser."
The Coroner looked at Walkinshaw, who bowed his assent.
"Let us have Detective-Sergeant Blick, then," said the Coroner.
In company, with the rest of the people there he looked with some curiosity at the detective as he stepped into the box. Most of the folk present in that room had never seen a detective in their lives. Blick, they thought, was certainly not at all like what they had conceived men of his calling to be. He might be thirty years old, but he looked younger. ”

“ Also, I am always a very early riser. As I couldn't sleep, I got up at three o'clock, left my house, and went up the downs to the highest point. I came back by Markenmore Hollow and Woodland Cottage, and went home. ”

“ Presently the barrister rose and turned to the Coroner.
"If, as I understand, sir, Mr. Harborough wishes to make a statement, which, I suppose, will amount to giving evidence about his movements on the morning of Guy Markenmore's death," he said, "I should like to suggest that before you hear it you should take the evidence of Detective-Sergeant Blick, who has had this case in hand since the discovery of the crime. Sergeant Blick will produce some evidence on which I should like to examine Mr. Harborough. I submit that this course will be most convenient to everybody, especially to Mr. ”