Gratia's Trials — page 146: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

GRATIA’S TRIALS. 137 young master a good turn,” said Mr. Cleve, the young juryman who spoke oftenest ; and the coroner told the flurried house- maid, to her great relief, that ‘‘she might go down,” | Dr. Hayley’s evidence was next in order, according to the coroners tablets. He testified, plainly enough, that death had been almost instantaneously caused by the slender poniard or dagger which had been found buried in the heart. He in- stanced one or two similar cases, and was waxing rather scien- tific. when Mr. Cleve somewhat impatiently interrupted him. ‘*T believe there is no manner of doubt about ow the death was caused,” he said, ‘‘but our business seems now to be to find out who caused it.” Scipio spoke a low word or two in the coroner’s ear at this moment, rather reluctantly as it seemed. ‘¢Tet Miss Falconer be sworn at once,” said he. ‘‘ There is some probability that fresh light will be thrown on the case now, gentlemen.” Miss Falconer was the next to testify, in a pretty, hesitating way that could not but favorably impress the jury. ¢ ‘‘Have you formed any idea as to who did the deed, Miss Falconer ?” the coroner asked. ‘‘ Must I answer that question?” she faltered. ‘‘Certainly. Remember that you are under oath.” ‘¢Then,” she said, after a moment or two of silence, ‘‘I must speak the truth. I believe the murder to have been com- mitted by Gratia Kempfield, the girl to whom my Uncle Ralph was engaged.” ‘‘ What has led you to this belief?” ‘¢Several circumstances, sir. One is that I chanced to over- hear them quarreling violently late last night, as I passed the library door. My uncle, in a voice of the greatest agitation, exclaimed : ‘You have no right to treat me so,’ or words to that effect, and she was kneeling on the floor before him, ap- parently supplicating for something.” : ‘‘What do you suppose it to have been ?”’ Eomicbooks:co