k.Shedidnotscream.Shemadenooutcrywhatever.Mrs.Allen,thehousekeeper,hadtakenherupstairsandstayedwithherinthebedroom.AmesandMr.Barkerhadthenreturnedtothestudy,wheretheyhadfoundeverythingexactlyasthepolicehadseenit.Thecandlewasnotlitatthattimebutthelampwasburning.Theyhadlookedoutofthewindowbutthenightwasverydarkandnothingcouldbeseenorheard.Theyhadthenrushedoutintothehall,whereAmeshadturnedthewindlasswhichloweredthedrawbridge.Mr.Barkerhadthenhurriedofftogetthepolice.
Such,initsessentials,wastheevidenceofthebutler.
TheaccountofMrs.Allen,thehousekeeper,was,sofarasitwent,acorroborationofthatofherfellowservant.Thehousekeeper'sroomwasrathernearertothefrontofthehousethanthepantryinwhichAmeshadbeenworking.Shewaspreparingtogotobedwhentheloudringingofthebellhadattractedherattention.Shewasalittlehardofhearing.Perhapsthatwaswhyshehadnotheardtheshotbutinanycasethestudywasalongwayoff.Sherememberedhearingsomesoundwhichsheimaginedtobetheslammingofadoor.Thatwasagooddealearlier—halfanhouratleastbeforetheringingofthebell.WhenMr.Amesrantothefrontshewentwithhim.ShesawMr.Barker,verypaleandexcited,comeoutofthestudy.HeinterceptedMrs.Douglas,whowascomingdownthestairs.Heentreatedhertogoback,andsheansweredhim,butwhatshesaidcouldnotbeheard.
“Takeherup!Staywithher!”hehadsaidtoMrs.Allen.
Shehadthereforetakenhertothebedroom,andendeavouredtosootheher.Shewasgreatlyexcited,tremblingallover,butmadenootherattempttogodownstairs.Shejustsatinherdressinggownbyherbedroomfire,withherheadsunkinherhands.Mrs.Allenstayedwithhermostofthenight.Astotheotherservants,theyhadallgonetobed,andthealarmdidnotreachthemuntiljustbeforethepolicearrived.Theysleptattheextremebackofthehouse,andcouldnotpossiblyhaveheardanything.
Sofarthehousekeepercouldaddnothingoncross-examinationsavelamentationsandexpressionsofamazement.
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