Two Coins: A Biographical Novel (Women of Determination and Courage)

“Did you take Mr. Fish with you to take notes?” Mr. Trevelyan asks.

“He was willing to assist me,” I say. “At the time, I wanted to keep the matter as private as possible.”

“Who did you ask about Babu Banerjee’s whereabouts?” Mr. Trevelyan asks.

“I asked Mrs. Ellis. She said she hadn’t seen him in Miss Pigot’s bathroom, but she knew he went there.”

“Did you ask if Miss Pigot was there at the time?” Mr. Trevelyan asks.

“No.”

“But you went there to discover evidence of Miss Pigot’s fornication,” Justice Norris says matter-of-factly.

I pause. “Yes, My Lord.”

“And you didn’t ask that question?” Justice Norris shakes his head. “There’d be no harm in his being in the bathroom unless Miss Pigot was there.”

“Who else did you ask?” Mr. Trevelyan asks.

“Mrs. Tremearne,” I say. “She said no.”

“Who was your informant about Mr. James?” Mr. Trevelyan asks.

“Is this necessary, Mr. Trevelyan?” Justice Norris asks impatiently.

“Perhaps not, My Lord,” Mr. Trevelyan replies. “My case is that Mr. Hastie has been throwing dirt everywhere.”

What is he implying? “I deny I throw dirt anywhere.”

“It looks very much like you do,” Justice Norris says.