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He leaned down and opened the bottom drawer of his desk, took out his service revolver, put the er

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THE COURTROOM was packed, the two co so the first punch could be landed

On one side of the ring sat Mr Trelford, as going over the order of his questions for the last ti quietly,sure they didn’t disturb him

Giles looked up as a police constable entered the courtroom, walked across to counsel’s bench and handed Mr Trelford an envelope The word URGENT ritten below his name Trelford opened it, extracted a letter, and read it slowly Giles learned nothing fronized the fareen portcullis crest at the head of the paper

Sir Edward sat alone with his client on the other side of the ring, delivering his final instructions “Be cal each question,” he whispered “You’re not in a hurry Face the jury, and never forget that they are the only people in the room who matter”

The crowd fell silent, and everyone rose when the bell rang for the first round and the referee entered the ring If Mrs Justice Lane was surprised to find the press and public galleries of her courtroo, she didn’t show it She bowed, and everyone in the well of the court returned the compliment Once they’d all settled back into their seats, with only Sir Edward still standing, she invited the eminent silk to call his first witness

Virginia walked slowly up to the witness box, and when she took the oath, she could barely be heard She wore a black tailored suit that eure, a black pillbox hat, no jewelery, and littleto remind all those present of Major Fisher’s untimely death Had the jury retired there and then to deliver their verdict, the result would have been unanimous, and Sir Edould happily have settled for that

“For the record, would you tell the court your name and where you live,” asked Sir Edward, as he adjusted his wig

“Virginia Fenwick I live alone in a an Gardens, SW3”

Giles sinia Alice Sarah Lucinda Fenwick, only daughter of the ninth Earl of Fenwick, and I have hoe aparte, with a butler, maid, and chauffeur, would have been more accurate

“Can I confirton, from whom you are now divorced?”

“Sadly yes,” said Virginia, turning toward the jury “Giles was the love of h for him”

Giles would have happily throttled the woman, while Emma wanted to jump up and protest Mr Trelford crossed out four of his well-prepared questions

“But despite that, and all you’ve been put through, you still don’t bear a grudge against Mrs Clifton?”