Fergus Hume

“ Edith shook her head, positively. “I am only saying what the policeman will say—what the judge and jury will say.”
“The judge and jury,” echoed Aileen, faintly, the full danger of the situation coming home to her.
“Yes! If you go down to the village and tell what you conceive to be the truth,” said Miss Danby, with a shrug, and, although her face was deathly white, she spoke firmly, “everything is against me. I hated Slanton—he came here frequently—we quarrelled incessantly—you overheard our quarrels—Jenny, always with her ear to the key-hole, heard them also. ”

“ Here, give me the jug!” and Aileen dashed the water over Edith’s white face. Very wisely, she decided to say as little as possible to the maid, who was known to be a notorious gossip. Then, as Edith showed no signs of returning to her senses, she ordered Jenny to help place her on the sofa. “You lift her feet,” she said, slipping her hands under Miss Danby’s arms. ”

“ The presence of the dead body in the wood must needs be explained, and the explanation would most surely bring to light uncomfortable matters best left in the dark. “It is the climax sure enough,” said Aileen, and, unconsciously, she said it aloud.
“Climax!” muttered Miss Danby, confusedly, “what climax?”
“Never mind,” said the girl quickly, “take another sip of sal volatile, and I’ll get the brandy. Feel better don’t you dear?”
Edith sat up weakly, pushing back her grey hair with a bewildered expression. “Feel better?” she echoed, brokenly, “why—what—when——?” ”