"On no grounds, save those of my own common sense."
"You have no evidence to——?"
"I have the evidence of my own eyes. You haven't seen the woman. I have. She is not the kind of person who would act so."
"The jury take a different view," said Steel dryly. "They have brought in a verdict of wilful murder against her."
"Fools! But what can you expect from a parcel of tradesmen? I wish to hear on what grounds they made such idiots of themselves."
Steel was somewhat taken aback by this coolness. "You must really excuse me," said he, rising, "but I have to see Mr. Ware."
"All in good time, Steel," said the old lady coolly. "You might do worse than spend an hour with me. There is precious little going on in this parish I don't know of. I might be able to help you in your search."
"After this woman?" Steel shook his head. "I don't think so. I expect she has escaped to foreign parts."
"Oh, I know all about that. I made Trim tell me. You know Trim, of course. He was a groom once."
"Isn't he a groom now?"