Lyon Berners’ heart seemed turned to ice by these last words. Nevertheless he summoned fortitude to say:
“We must examine and see if there has been a robbery committed. If there has been one, then, of course, in the face of all this woman’s evidence, it will prove that the robber has done this foul deed.”
“I do not see clearly that it will,” objected Judge Basham. “However, we will make the examination.”
“Your honors need na tak the trouble. Mysel’ saw to that too. See, the bureau drawers and wardrobes are all fast locked as me leddy saw me lock them hersel’. And the keys are safe in the pocket of my gown. Nay, nay, lairds, naething is stolen,” said Janet.
Nevertheless, Mr. Berners insisted on making the examination. So Janet produced the keys and opened all the bureau drawers, boxes, wardrobes, etc. All things were found in order. In the upper bureau drawer, caskets of jewels, boxes of laces, rolls of bank-notes and other valuables were found untouched. Nothing was missing.
In a word, no clue was found to the supposed murderer and robber; but, on the other hand, every circumstance combined to fix the deed on Sybil.
Lyon Berners felt a faintness like death coming over him, and subduing all his manhood. Unblenchingly, in his own person, he would have braved any fate. But that his wife—his pure, high-toned, magnanimous Sybil, should be caught up and ground to pieces by this horrible machinery of circumstance and destiny! Was this a nightmare? His brain was reeling. He felt that he might go mad. Like the drowning man, he caught at straws. Turning to the Scotch girl, he demanded somewhat sternly:
“And where were you when your mistress was being murdered? where were you, that you did not hasten to her assistance? You could not have been far off—you must in fact have been in that little adjoining nursery.”
“And sae I was, laird; and her first screech waked me up and garred me grew sae till I couldna move, and didna move till I heard her screech again and again, and saw her rin acrass the floor, and tear back the bolt and flecht fra the room, followed close behind by Mistress Berners. And thin mysel’ sprang up wi’ the bairn in me arms and rin after them, thinking the de’il was behind me. Oh, me puir leddy! oh, me puir, bonny leddy! oh! oh! oh!” wept and wailed the girl, dropping down on the floor and throwing her apron over her head.
But the cries of the child from the adjoining nursery caused her to start up, and run in there to comfort him.