But the answer was always no; these same noes
growing more and more emphatic, and the gentleman more and more
impenetrable and dignified as the examination went on. In fact, he
was as unassailable a witness as I have ever heard testify before
any jury. Beyond the fact already mentioned of his having observed
a light in the opposite house on the two evenings in question, he
admitted nothing. His life in the little cottage was so engrossing
- he had his organ - his dog - why should he look out of the window?
Had it not been for his usual habit of letting his dog run the
pavements for a quarter of an hour before finally locking up for
the night, he would not have seen as much as he did.
"Have you any stated hour for doing this?" the coroner now asked.
"Yes; half-past nine"
"And was this the hour when you caw that light?"
"Yes, both times."
As he had appeared at the station-house at a few minutes before ten
he was probably correct in this statement. But, notwithstanding
this, I did not feel implicit confidence in him. He was too
insistent in his regret at not being able to give greater assistance
in the disentanglement of a mystery so affecting the honor of the
family of which he was now the recognized head. His voice, nicely
attuned to the occasion, was admirable; so was his manner; but I
mentally wrote him down as one I should enjoy outwitting if the
opportunity ever came my way.
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