a wild desire to flee from the court.

"If you mean did I love Miss Nuttall," said Jasper Cole, in his quiet,
even tone, "I reply that I did."

"You even secured the active support of Mr. Minute?"

"I never urged the matter with Mr. Minute," said Jasper.

"So that if he moved on your behalf he did so without your knowledge?"

"Without my pre-knowledge," corrected the witness. "He told me afterward
that he had spoken to Miss Nuttall, and I was considerably embarrassed."

"I understand you were a man of curious habits, Mr. Cole."

"We are all people of curious habits," smiled the witness.

"But you in particular. You were an Orientalist, I believe?"

"I have studied Oriental languages and customs," said Jasper shortly.

"Have you ever extended your study to the realm of hypnotism?"

"I have," replied the witness.

"Have you ever made experiments?"

"On animals, yes."

"On human beings?"

"No, I have never made experiments on human beings."

"Have you also made a study of narcotics?"

The lawyer leaned forward over the table and looked at the witness
between half-closed eyes.

"I have made experiments with narcotic herbs and plants," said Jasper,
after a moment's hesitation. "I think you should know that the career
which was planned for me was that of a doctor, and I have always been
very interested in the effects of narcotics."

"You know of a drug called _cannabis indica_?" asked the counsel,
consulting his paper.

"Yes; it is 'Indian hemp.'"

"Is there an infusion of _cannabis indica_ to be obtained?"

"I do not think there is," said the other. "I can probably enlighten you
because I see now the trend of your examination. I once told Frank
Merrill, many years ago, when I was very enthusiastic, that an infusion
of _cannabis indica_, combined with tincture of opium and hyocine,
produced certain effects."

"It is inclined to sap the will power of a man or a woman who is
constantly absorbing this poison in small doses?" suggested the counsel.

"That is so."

The counsel now switched off on a new tack.

"Do you know the East of London?"

"Yes, slightly."

"Do you know Silvers Rents?"

"Yes."

"Do you ever go to Silvers Rents?"

"Yes; I go there very regularly."

The readiness of the reply astonished both Frank and the girl. She had
been feeling more and more uncomfortable as the cross-examination
continued, and had a feeling that she had in some way betrayed Jasper
Cole's confidence.