WITNESS.--"In an hour my father went to the station and I was liberated."
This witness now being released, the previous witness, Atkins, was recalled and a very sensational incident arose. During the luncheon interval, Mr. Robert Humphreys, Wilde"s solicitor, had been busy. Not satisfied with Atkins"s replies to the questions put to him in cross-examination, he had searched the records at Scotland Yard and Rochester Road and made some startling discoveries. A folded doc.u.ment was handed up to the Judge. Mr. Justice Charles, who read it at once, a.s.sumed a severe expression. The doc.u.ment was understood to be a copy of a record from Rochester Road. Atkins, looking very sheepish and uncomfortable, re-entered the witness-box and the Court prepared itself for some startling disclosures.
Sir EDWARD CLARKE.--"Now, I warn you to attend and to be very careful. I am going to ask you a question; think before you reply."
The JUDGE.--"Just be careful now, Atkins."
Sir EDWARD.--"On June 10th, 1891, you were living at Tatchbrook Street?"
WITNESS.--"Yes."
Sir EDWARD.--"In Pimlico?"
WITNESS.--"Yes."
Sir EDWARD.--"James Burton was living there with you?"
WITNESS.--"He was."
Sir EDWARD.--"Were you both taken by two constables, 396 A & 500 A--you may have forgotten the officer"s numbers--to Rochester Road Police Station and charged with demanding money from a gentleman with menaces.
You had threatened to accuse him of a disgusting offence?"
WITNESS.--(huskily)--"I was not charged with that."
Sir EDWARD.--"Were you taken to the police station?"
WITNESS.--"Yes."
Sir EDWARD.--"You, and Burton?"
WITNESS.--"Yes."
Sir EDWARD.--"What were you charged with?"
WITNESS.--"With striking a gentleman."
Sir EDWARD.--"In what place was it alleged this happened?"
WITNESS.--"At the card-table."
Sir EDWARD.--"In your own room at Tatchbrook Street?"
WITNESS.--"Yes."
Sir EDWARD.--"What was the name of the gentleman?"
WITNESS.--"I don"t know."
Sir EDWARD.--"How long had you known him?"
WITNESS.--"Only that night."
Sir EDWARD.--"Where had you met him?"
WITNESS.--"At the Alhambra."
Sir EDWARD.--"Had you seen him before that time?"
WITNESS.--"Not to speak to."
Sir EDWARD.--"Meeting him at the Alhambra, did he accompany you to Tatchbrook Street?"
WITNESS.--"Yes, to play cards."
Sir EDWARD.--"Not to accuse him, when there, of attempting to indecently handle you?"
WITNESS.--"No."
Sir EDWARD.--"Was Burton there?"
WITNESS.--"Yes."
Sir EDWARD.--"Anyone else?"
WITNESS.--"I don"t think so."
Sir EDWARD.--"Was the gentleman sober?"
WITNESS.--"Oh, yes."
Sir EDWARD.--"What room did you go into?"
WITNESS.--"The sitting-room."
Sir EDWARD.--"Who called the police?"
WITNESS.--"I don"t know."
Sir EDWARD.--"The landlady, perhaps?"
WITNESS.--"I believe she did."
Sir EDWARD.--"Did the landlady give you and Burton into custody?"
WITNESS.--"No; n.o.body did."
Sir EDWARD.--"Some person must have done. Who did?"
WITNESS.--"All I can say is, I did not hear anybody."