“‘That is exactly what I was doing when you interrupted me. I was telling what my friend Miss Clattermouth said about Mr. Bowles.’
“‘Tell us what you know about Miss Bramlett’s connection with her brother’s death, and let Mr. Bowles and Miss Clattermouth alone.’
“‘Miss Tadpoddle,’ said Quillet, ‘if you will just answer my questions, I dare say we shall get along much better. What did Miss Bramlett say to Mr. Bowles about strychnine?’
“‘She asked him how much strychnine it would require to produce death, and if a doctor could tell when it had been caused by that sort of poison; I heard her say it with my own ears, and I would swear it on a stack of Bibles as high as this court-house; and I never exaggerate either—I despise people who do exaggerate! I told my friend Miss Clattermouth about it; I said, says I:
“‘“Jerusha,” says I——’
“‘Stop, Miss Tadpoddle, don’t tell what you said, but let us hear what Miss Bramlett said.’
“‘That is the very thing I have just told you; but if it will do you any good, I can tell it again.’
“‘When was it you heard the conversation which you have just mentioned?’
“‘About one week before she poisoned her poor little brother.’
“‘Where did it occur?’