The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 183: what you’re looking at

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

166 REYNOLDS’ WORKS dress to the head constable at once. You have acted ju- diciously and prudently 1 in consulting magisterial sa dah and here is a guinea for you.’ Mr. Hawkshaw added another, and the peasant took his departure, infinitely delighted with the presents he had thus received. He carried the dress away with him, and, returning to his own home, communicated to his mother and sister all that had taken place. Although he had walked many miles, he nevertheless set out again in the evening for Gainsborough, and repaired at once to the residence of the head constable, to whom he gave every explanation, likewise delivering the message from Mr. Denison to the effect that it would perhaps be as well if the bed of the river were searched in the neighbourhood of the spot where the crime was committed. The constable promised com- pliance with this suggestion, and assured the peasant that he would consider whether the possession of the masquerade apparel would in any way further the ends of justice. On the following morning the constable sent for the female who had been charged at the time of the tragedy to disapparel the corpses of the murdered women, and he de- sired her to examine the dress minutely, and inform him, to the best of her recollection, whether it would have fitted either the dancer or her servant. In respect to the latter, the woman at once gave a negative response, — the unfor- tunate abigail having been too slender in figure and too short in stature for such a costume, nor indeed was it prob- able that she could have had such a dress for her own wear- ing. The woman examined it for some time, and ultimately pronounced her opinion to the following effect: ‘“T perfectly well remember the form and stature of the unfortunate ballet-dancer. She was tall enough to wear this dress, but not sufficiently stout. The costume was evidently made for a woman of considerable development of contours, although the figure must have been of perfect symmetry. The wearer of such a garb would be what is termed a very fine woman.”’ The next step which the head constable at Gainsborough took was to summon to his counsels the most experienced milliner in the town; and he desired her to give her opinion in respect to the raiment, mentioning certain details on which he sought to be enlightened. The milliner, after (E(0) CONNIE OO KS