I was on Waverley Avenue that night, and I heard
the shot which in all probability ended my sister's life. I walked
farther than I intended; I strolled into the street which had such
bitter memories for us and I heard - No, I was not in search of my
sister. I had not associated my sister's going out with any
intention of visiting this house; I was merely troubled in mind and
anxious and - and -"
She had overrated her strength or her cleverness. She found herself
unable to finish the sentence, and so did not try. She had been
led by the impulse of the moment farther than she had intended, and,
aghast at her own imprudence, paused with her first perceptible loss
of courage before the yawning gulf opening before her.
I felt myself seized by a very uncomfortable dread lest her
concealments and unfinished sentences hid a guiltier knowledge of
this crime than I was yet ready to admit.
The coroner, who is an older man than myself, betrayed a certain
satisfaction but no dread. Never did the unction which underlies
his sharpest speeches show more plainly than when he quietly
remarked:
"And so under a similar impulse you, as well as Mr. Jeffrey, chose
this uncanny place to ramble in. To all appearance that old hearth
acted much more like a lodestone upon members of your family than
you were willing at one time to acknowledge"
This reference to words she had herself been heard to use seemed to
overwhelm her.
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