"'I don't think I should, sir.'
"'Supposing that he came by his death in a violent way--I don't say it is so, because the medical evidence does not favor that conclusion--but supposing that this evidence was misleading, and was proved to be so, there is nobody to take up the matter authoritatively, to take measures, I mean, to bring the guilty party to justice?'
"'Nobody, sir.'
"'Only the police?'
"'Yes, sir, only the police?'
"'And all they have succeeded in doing is to make things uncomfortable for you?'
"'Yes, sir,' sighed Mrs. Middlemore, 'that's all they've done. I said to Mr. Nightingale, "A nice friend you've been," I said. I couldn't 'elp saying it after all I've gone through.'
"'Is it Constable Nightingale you are speaking of?'
"'Yes, it is.'
"'Is he an old friend of yours?'