CLEAVER. Has any aberration of this nature ever attacked you before?     

       FALDER. [Faintly] No, sir.     

       CLEAVER. You had recovered sufficiently to go back to your work that afternoon?     

       FALDER. Yes, I had to take the money back.     

       CLEAVER. You mean the nine pounds. Your wits were sufficiently keen for you to remember that? And you still persist in saying you don't remember altering this cheque. [He sits down]     

       FALDER. If I hadn't been mad I should never have had the courage.     

       FROME. [Rising] Did you have your lunch before going back?     

       FALDER. I never ate a thing all day; and at night I couldn't sleep.     

       FROME. Now, as to the four minutes that elapsed between Davis's going out and your cashing the cheque: do you say that you recollect nothing during those four minutes?     

       FALDER. [After a moment] I remember thinking of Mr. Cokeson's face.     

       FROME. Of Mr. Cokeson's face! Had that any connection with what you were doing?     

       FALDER. No, Sir.     

       FROME. Was that in the office, before you ran out?     

       FALDER. Yes, and while I was running.     

       FROME. And that lasted till the cashier said: "Will you have gold or notes?"     

       FALDER. Yes, and then I seemed to come to myself—and it was too late.     

       FROME. Thank you. That closes the evidence for the defence, my lord.     

CONTENTS

         The JUDGE nods, and FALDER goes back to his seat in the dock.       

       FROME. [Gathering up notes] If it please your lordship—Gentlemen of the Jury,—My friend in cross-examination has shown a disposition to sneer at the defence which has been set up in this case, and I am free to admit that 

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