But uttered as it was with a
noble air and a certain dignified serenity, it had a great effect upon
those about her and turned in a moment the wavering tide of favor in
her direction.
The coroner, who doubtless was perfectly acquainted with the
explanation with which she had provided herself, but who perhaps did
not look for it to antedate his attack, bowed in quiet acknowledgment
of her request and then immediately proceeded to ignore it.
"I should be glad to spare you," said he, "but I do not find it
possible. You knew that Mr. Jeffrey had a pistol?"
"I did."
"That it was kept in their apartment?"
"Yes."
"In the upper drawer of a certain bureau?"
"Yes."
"Now, Miss Tuttle, will you tell us why you went to that drawer - if
you did go to that drawer - immediately after Mrs. Jeffrey left the
house?"
She had probably felt this question coming, not only since the
coroner began to speak but ever since the evidence elicited from
Loretta proved that her visit to this drawer had been secretly
observed. Yet she had no answer ready.
"I did not go for the pistol," she finally declared. But she did
not say what she had gone for, and the coroner did not press her.
Again the tide swung back.
She seemed to feel the change but did not show it in the way
naturally looked for.
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