The fact was, he wished to examine the various entries made between 1870 and 1880.

That became very plain; but as he did not express his wish in so many words, I humoured him.

Still, as I was with him during the whole of the time he was looking at the books, I saw what it was that he examined." Here Mr.Ridley paused, glancing at the coroner.
"That is really about all that I can tell," he said.

"He only came to me on that one occasion." "Perhaps I can get a little more out of you, Mr.Ridley," remarked the coroner with a smile.

"A question or two, now.