H庄园的午餐60

VII

“You are Amelia Mary Sedley and you reside ordinarily at 17 Charles Street, Boonamba,Auckland?”

“Yes.”

“Do you know a Mrs. Draper?”

“Yes. I have known her for over twenty years.”

“Do you know her maiden¹ name?”

“Yes. I was at her marriage. Her name was Mary Riley.”

“Is she a native of New Zealand?”

“No, she came out from England.”

“You have been in court since the beginning of these proceedings²?”

“Yes, I have.”

“Have you seen this Mary Riley—or Draper—in court?”

“Yes.”

“Where did you see her?”

“Giving evidence in this box.”

“Under what name?”

“Jessie Hopkins.”

“And you are quite sure that this Jessie Hopkins is the woman you know as Mary Riley orDraper?”

“Not a doubt of it.”

A slight commotion³ at the back of the court.

“When did you last see Mary Draper—until today?”

“Five years ago. She went to England.”

Sir Edwin said with a bow:

“Your witness.”

Sir Samuel, rising with a slightly perplexed⁴ face, began:

“I suggest to you, Mrs.—Sedley, that you may be mistaken.”

“I’m not mistaken.”

“You may have been misled by a chance resemblance.”

“I know Mary Draper well enough.”

“Nurse Hopkins is a certificated District Nurse.”

“Mary Draper was a hospital nurse before her marriage.”

“You understand, do you not, that you are accusing a Crown witness of perjury⁵?”

“I understand what I’m saying.”

 

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