"Our reporter wrote the words in his pocketbook, and asked, 'Can you tell me how he was dressed?'
"'Only that he had dark clothes on.'
"'You would know him again if you saw him?'
"'I could swear to him, sir.'
"'Come, that is a satisfaction. You can swear to the man, and I can swear to the revolver. Two direct pieces of evidence, if we can lay hands upon them.'
"Sophy unexpectedly presented herself as an additional witness. 'I can swear to 'im too,' she said.
"'Ah, Sophy, you are invaluable,' said our reporter.
"'Didn't I say the slut was telling us a parcel of lies?' cried Mrs. Middlemore, making a movement as though she were about to fall upon the girl.
"'Easy, Mrs. Middlemore, easy,' said our reporter, holding the housekeeper back. 'Let us hear what Sophy has to say.'
"But Sophy, firing up, diverged a moment. 'Jest look 'ere, aunty,' she said, with spirit. 'Don't yer be so fast with yer sluts and yer 'uzzies. I'm gitting tired of it, I am. I ain't told one lie yet, and if yer don't mind what yer about I'll keep my mouth shut.'