Page:Alice Stuyvesant - The Vanity Box.djvu/112

 questioner. Before Mr. Samways became coroner, he had been the favourite doctor of the farming community, and had brought Poppet into the world.

Clearly and truthfully Rose gave the history of her afternoon—the afternoon of the murder. How she had been in the arbour, with her little daughter, and Kate Craigie had come, and at about four o'clock they had heard two shots, which Kate had thought sounded queer. How Kate had gone home a little later, and after tea—oh, a good while after—when she was washing up the dishes, Sir Ian had made Poppet scream out by suddenly appearing, covered with blood. No, not covered; she hadn't meant that. To say "covered" was a great exaggeration. She had spoken impulsively, as women will. Sir Ian had been very much agitated, stammering out some thing about her ladyship being in the Tower, dead; and he wished to find Barnard, who used to serve under him in the Army before Sir Ian came into his title, and got Tom his present position through his influence with Mr. Forestier. Why, yes, of course Barnard owed Sir Ian a big debt of gratitude, and would do anything for him, so it was natural enough the poor gentleman should go there before going any where else. Besides, the farmhouse was near. But unfortunately Barnard was away, so she had to do the best she could. And Sir Ian wouldn't wait for Tom. He would rush back to the woods, where her poor