Fergus Hume

“ On the morning when his body was found in the wood, I mentioned to Aileen that I would probably go to America to escape his attentions. That, alone, should show you how ignorant I was of his death.”
“Or show,” remarked the Coroner, meaningly, “that having rid yourself of the man, you hoped to escape the penalty of your crime.”
Miss Danby made a gesture of despair, and sat down, again folding her cloak, shaken loose during her speech, round her gaunt body. “Let it be as you say,” she retorted, contemptuously. “I know nothing more about the matter. ”

“ Then Aileen was summoned to the witness-stand, and her fair girlish beauty enhanced by her black dress made a great impression upon those present. However much Edith was blamed, not a single word was heard against Aileen. Rather was she commiserated by several women, as a “pore lamb” in the clutches of a bad lot. Hustings breathed more freely when he heard the encouraging sounds, as the placing of the girl in the same category as Edith might have led to her arrest, as an accomplice. He thanked his stars that both the crowd and Trant were favourably inclined ”

“ Owing to the disapproval of Roderick’s father, the engagement was broken off, and I did not meet my lover again until he came to the hospital. For we were lovers—we two: he loved me as much as I loved him, so a renewed association ended in a renewed engagement. Fearing lest he might die, for his wound was deadly, Roderick made a will in my favour leaving me two thousand a year. It was witnessed by Dr. Slanton and by Alfred Rackman, who was my lover’s batman. After the signing of the will Slanton began to pay me attentions which I discouraged, saying that I loved Roderick and him only. ”

“ I sleep up-stairs: Miss Danby in the room across the passage, so anyone could have climbed into the parlour through the window, by pushing back the snick, and lifting up the lower sash. And that was done,” ended Aileen, emphatically, “as Mr. Hustings will tell you.”
This astonishing statement—and it was particularly astonishing to Trant—brought about the calling up of Hustings as a witness. He related what had been noted by himself and Miss More, when they examined the window, and challenged the Inspector to look into the matter for himself. ”