“Was the female still at the upper window, when you reached the house?”
“No. I saw the lady now present standing near the burning building, and held by a man—Peter Davidson, I think it was—who told me she wanted to rush into the house to look for the old folks.”
“Did you see any efforts of that sort in her?”
“Certainly. She struggled to get away from Peter, and acted like a person who wished to rush into the burning building.”
“Were the struggles natural—or might they not have been affected?”
“They might. If it was acting, it was good acting. I have seen as good, however, in my life.”
The doctor had a meaning manner, that said more than his words. He spoke very low—so low as not to be audible to those who sat in the farther parts of the room; which will explain the perfect indifference to his testimony, that was manifested by the subject of his remarks. An impression, however, was made on the jury, which was composed of men much disposed to push distrust to demonstration.
The coroner now thought it time to spring the principal mine, which had been carefully preparing during the recess in the investigation; and he ordered “Mary Monson” to be called—a witness who had been regularly summoned to attend, among the crowd of persons that had received similar notices.
CHAPTER IV.
My deed’s upon my head! I crave the law,