"I understand. But what about Dr. Lester?"
"He stayed in, drinking brandy, and when he was quite mad he went out with a pistol to look for his daughter."
"How do you know?" asked Drek, rather startled by this explicit evidence.
"Because I was watchin' and listenin'," said Eliza with great candour. "I thought, as he was drinking, he might smash the furniture, according to custom; and Miss Iris, she asked me always to perteck the furniture, if needs be. I watched the door of the consulting-room, gentlemen, and I seed Dr. Lester come out with a weapon in 'is 'and----"
"A pistol?"
"Yes, Mr. Policeman, a double-barril revolver. He rushed out, screeching that Miss Milly was a--well," said Eliza, checking herself, "I can't say what he called her, but it was somethin' bad, you may be sure. I waited in, with great 'orror, sir, and when Miss Iris came back, I was glad to see she weren't a corpse. I thought as Dr. Lester might have met 'er, and killed 'er right out."
Drek and the journalist glanced at one another, for this candidly-delivered evidence certainly seemed to implicate Lester. "What did Miss Link say when you told her that Dr. Lester had gone out?" demanded Mexton hurriedly.
"She seemed 'orror-struck, like me, sir; and then I went to bed, and she waited for the corpse. It arrived about midnight with Mr. Chaskin. I was woke up by a wild screech, Mr. Policeman, and came down to find the tragedy. For the rest of the night we all sat up till morning, when the deceased was taken for the inquitch to the Herne Arms, where she now is, an' may the Lord 'ave mercy on 'er soul," finished Eliza, with clasped hands.
"What time did Dr. Lester return?"
"In the mornin' at seven o'clock. He 'ad been wanderin' about all night, and tumbling into the mud. Miss Iris made him take off his clothes, 'cause they were all over red clay, an' he's been sitting drinkin' ever since."