A Chain of Evidence

by Carolyn Wells

"Did you then prepare breakfast?"

"Yes, sah—bacon 'n' eggs, an' cereal, an'——"

"Never mind what the meal consisted of. Did you see any one before you served breakfast?"

"Only the hall boy, when I went to take the lettahs, sah."

"He rang the bell?"

"Yes, sah. He allus does. An' I dun gib de do' a yank, but dat ol' chain held it. I 'clar to goodness, I can't nebber 'member dat chain."

"Have you been with this household long?"

"I's been here six weeks, sah. But I was gwine to leave, any way. I couldn't stan' de way Mr. Pembroke called me names, sah. Miss Janet she's mighty nice lady, but de ol' massa he was too much fo' anybody."

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