“It didn't come into them, sir,” replied Mogue, with a smile which he intended to pass, for one of simplicity; “it was lyin' I got it, upon the hall-door steps.”
“Did you see any strange person about the place, or near the hall-door to-day?” he asked.
“None, sir, sorra a creature—well now, wait—that I may never sup sorrow, but I did—there was a poor woman, sir, wid a whack of a son along wid her.”
“Did you see her near the steps?”
“That I may be happy, sir, if I could take it upon me to say—not wishin' to tell a lie—but she might a' been there, the crathur.”
“What kind of a looking woman was she?” asked John.
“A poor woman, sir, as I said.”
“I do not mean that; of course, I know she was; but what dress had she on, and what kind of features or complexion had she? Was she big or little?”
“I'm just thinkin',” replied Mogue, seemingly attempting to recollect something, “was it to-day or yesterday I seen her.”
“Well, but answer directly,” said Alick, “what was she like?”