"I--I had a candle," she replied, in a low voice and with hesitation.
"It's blowing awful," wheezed Mrs. Basket at the door, and the other woman turned towards her abruptly. The landlady's full moon of a face had suspicion written in every wrinkle. "Had you the carving-knife?" she asked.
"The carving-knife?"
"Yes, the same as you frightened the telegraph boy with?"
"I had no carving-knife," returned Mrs. Moxton, haughtily. "What do you mean by these questions?" She turned again to the men and burst into furious speech. "Have I come to a lunatic asylum?" she cried. "You talk, this woman talks, and I want help. Doctor, come! Come at once! And you, sir, go for the police if it is necessary."
Ellis hastily threw on a cap, snatched up some needful things for a wounded man, and followed Mrs. Moxton out of the house. Mrs. Basket and Harry were left face to face with the same thought in their minds.
"What did I say about her 'aving the carving-knife, sir?"
"Yes, by Jove! And her talking of exploring with a lighted candle in this wind!"
"She's afraid of the police, too, Mr. Cass," said Mrs. Basket, in tragic tones. "She's done for him, sir."
"Well--she--might--No," cried Harry, rumpling his hair. "If she was guilty she would not come for Ellis."