"No, Mr. Cornwall, I couldn't swear that. I could swear I didn't see it—that's all. But I could swear to the veil."
Fred bit his lip. "If any man you don't know asks you any further questions about Miss Phœbe, do not answer him."
"I won't, Mr. Cornwall; they sha'n't pump me. That feller tried to, but he didn't git very much."
"He got enough," thought Fred, and said aloud, "That will do, 'Melia Jane; you can go. And now, Aunt Leth, quite apart from the statement which Mrs. Pamflett gave the reporters, it is proved that Phœbe was at Parksides last night. How did she get there?"
"I really can't say, Fred. I think she must have been too late for the last train."
"Have you an 'A B C' in the house?"
"No."
"I must see at what time the last train starts. Do you think she came back to London by the train this morning?"
"I don't know, Fred. Poor child! her feet were very much blistered."
"Good God! Surely she could not have walked!" He paced the room in great excitement. "About the brooch, Aunt Leth? Can you fix any definite time—any particular day—on which you last saw it in Phœbe's possession?"