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“I do indeed reinia, but I wonder if you noticed that just before proceedings opened this , a policeman entered this court and handed me a letter?”

Sir Edward edged forward in his seat, ready to pounce

“Would it surprise you to knoas addressed to me, and that it was from your dear friend, Major Fisher?”

If Mr Trelford had wanted to go on speaking, his words would have been drowned out by a cacophony of noise that cae and the jury remained impassive He waited for complete silence before he continued

“Lady Virginia, would you like me to read out to the court the last words your dear friend Major Fisher wrote, moments before he died?”

Sir Edward leaped up “My lady, I have not seen this letter in the bundle of evidence, and therefore have no idea if it’s admissible or even authentic”

“The blood stain on the envelope would suggest its authenticity,the envelope in front of the jury

“I haven’t seen the letter either, Sir Edward,” said the judge, “so it certainly isn’t admissible as evidence until I say so”

Trelford was quite happy for theal niceties as to whether the le

tter was admissible or not, well aware that he hadto produce any evidence

Giles studied the sphinx-like expression on Trelford’s face and couldn’t be sure if Emma’s counsel even wanted the letter to be read out in court, but follohat had started out as a triuain sown a seed of doubt in the jury’s minds Everyone in the court’s eyes were on him

Mr Trelford tucked the envelope back into an inside pocket of his jacket He se, and said, “No more questions, my lady”

44

WHEN THE CELL DOOR swung open on Tuesday uardson the floor in opposite corners of the cell, not speaking

They grabbed Babakov and, as they dragged him out of the cell, Harry bowed his head as if he wanted nothing to do with theat a h they took Harry fir him out of the cell, which made him wonder if it was just possible that Babakov’s plan had worked However, the guards didn’t let go of Harry as they led hi the corridor, and into the courtrooht try to make a run for it But where would he run, and just how far did they iet?