‘Because Miss Crampton—the deceased—had married without the consent of her people, and her father had cut her out of his will. But, as the marriage was somewhat irregular—’
‘How was it irregular?’
‘Miss Crampton was not of age, and Mr Walcheren swore, when he procured the licence, that she was!’
‘Oh! he did!’ said the coroner, making a note of the fact on his papers; ‘and Mr Crampton cut the deceased out of his will in consequence?’
‘He did so, or meant to do so, but he sent me here with a message to the effect that if she would return home, and permit the marriage to be annulled, he would receive her back, but on no other terms.’
‘And may I ask what the lady said when you delivered that message to her?’
‘I never delivered it! I did not see her! I called twice at the Castle Warden Hotel, but each time was told that she was out, so I returned to town without seeing her!’
‘And you did not see Mr Walcheren either?’
‘I did not see Mr Walcheren either.’
‘Upon which you returned to town?’