For the Defence

by Fergus Hume

"No, sir. I've only got my wits about me now."

"Has not Anne told you?"

"She hasn't told me anything, sir."

"Well," said Jen, seeing that the man spoke in all good faith, "the body of Mr. Maurice was stolen on that night."

"The body stolen!" repeated Jaggard, in amazement. "For why, sir?"

"I can't tell, nor can anybody else. All we know is that at three o'clock in the morning we entered Mr. Maurice's room and found the window open, the body gone, and you insensible."

"The window open," said Jaggard, thoughtfully. "Then it must have been opened from the inside, sir."

"By Dido, no doubt."

"I'm certain of it, major; and it was that black witch who stole the body."

"How did she get into the room?"