“Only as a maid in my wife’s employ.”

“Did you hear the crash when Leslie broke down the door of the storeroom?”

“No. I was in a sort of stupor.”

“Did you know the prisoner before you employed him on the Ella?”

“Yes; he had been in our employ several times.”

“What was his reputation—I mean, as a ship’s officer?”

“Good.”

“Do you recall the night of the 31st of July?”

“Quite well.”

“Please tell what you know about it.”