“The point is important,” said the coroner, with an impressive wave of his hand. “For if mental, it might mean that the man who attacked him was known to him; while merely physical horror would imply a robber or thug.”
The jurymen wagged their heads wisely at this sapient remark, as if it opened up a new field of conjecture.
Avice was questioned next.
She was a little startled at the suddenness of the call, but responded clearly and with an entirely collected manner to all queries.
“You are Mr. Trowbridge’s niece?”
“Yes, the daughter of his younger brother.”
“You make your home here?”
“Yes.”
“How long have you done so?”
“Since childhood. My parents died before I was ten years old.”