‘There was no answer. Becoming alarmed, because her mistress was old and had once suffered from some seizure, she went to Miss Owen’s door and knocked impatiently.
‘Prisoner at once came and opened it. She was completely dressed, and apparently ready to come down.
‘The following conversation, or something near it, then took place:
‘The witness Rebecca began by saying that she had knocked at Miss Lewis’s door, but could get no answer. “Do you know if any thing’s the matter?” she said.
‘Prisoner heard her without any appearance of surprise, and merely answered:
‘“No; we had better call to her, and if she doesn’t answer, I’ll go in.”
‘They then went together to the door on the landing, and prisoner called out loudly: “Miss Lewis! May I come in?”
‘There was again no answer. Prisoner then put her hand to the door and turned the handle. The door, however, would not open. It was locked, and the key was inside.
‘The only possible access, therefore, was through prisoner’s own room.
‘It is unnecessary to draw counsel’s attention to the gravity of this circumstance.’