"Were they both men's voices?" interrupted Mr. Ollivera--and it was the first question he had put.
"Yes," came the answer; but it was given in a low tone, and with somewhat of hesitation. "At least, I think so."
"Well."
"The next thing that I heard was the report of a pistol, followed by a cry of pain. Another cry succeeded to it in a different voice, a cry of horror; and then silence supervened."
"And you did not go in?" exclaimed Mr. Ollivera in agitation, taking a step forward.
"No. I am aware it is what I ought to have done; and I have reproached myself later for not having done it; but I felt afraid to disclose to any one that I was yet in the house. It might have led to the discovery of who and what I was. Besides, I thought there was no great harm done; I declare it, upon my honour. I could still hear sounds within the room as of someone, or more, moving about, and I certainly heard one voice speaking low and softly. I thought I saw my opportunity for slipping away, and had crept down nearly to the drawing-room door, when it suddenly opened, very quietly, and a face looked out. Whoever it might be, I suppose the sight of me scared them, for they retreated, and the door was reclosed softly. It scared me also, sending me back upstairs; and I remained up until the same person (as I supposed) came out again, descended the stairs, and left the house. I got out myself then, gained the railway station by a circuitous route, and got safely away from Helstonleigh."
As the words died upon the ear, there ensued a pause of silence. The clergyman broke it. His mind seemed to be harping on one string.
"Mr. Brown, was that person a man or a woman?"
"Oh, it was a man," answered Mr. Brown, looking down at his waistcoat, and brushing a speck off it with an air of carelessness. But something in his demeanour at that moment struck two people in the room as being peculiar--Judge Kene and Mr. Butterby.
"Should you recognize him again?" continued the clergyman.