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‘I apologize, My Lord’

‘How long have you been married to the defendant?’ asked Palmer

‘Eleven years’

‘And you have recently sued hirounds of adultery and mental cruelty’

‘Is this relevant, Mr Pale

‘Only to show, Your Honour, that the relationship between the two of them has irretrievably broken down’

‘Then you have achieved your purpose, Mr Palmer, so move on’

‘As you wish, Your Honour This trial, as you will know, Mrs Faulkner, concerns the theft of The Syndics of the Clothmakers’ Guild, by Rembrandt, a work of art the value of which is incalculable, and is acknowledged by art aficionados to be a national treasure So I ’

‘A little over seven years ago, when I saw it hanging in the drawing room of our home at Limpton Hall’

‘A little over seven years ago,’ repeated Pal directly at the jury

‘That is correct, Mr Palmer’

‘And did your husband tell you how he had acquired such a nificent work of art?’

‘He was evasive to begin with, but when I pressed hiht the picture from a friend as in financial trouble’

‘Did you ever meet this friend?’

‘No, I did not’