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THE VANITY BOX

Had Edward been excited, when she met him in the woods?

Dear no, not particularly. He was a bit emotional and always got worked up, on one thing and another, when talking to her, that was all, indeed.

Another new suspicion flung at the heads of the jury! Hardly had they recovered from the shock of the first, when there came a second; but after the first, it was a relief to have a second to fall back upon, of so little importance was poor Edward, a footman, compared with his master, Sir Ian Hereward.

Next after Kate came Teresina Ricardo. Thus far, the witnesses had followed each other in order, according to the bearing of their evidence upon the case. Sir Ian's testimony had naturally been taken first, since he had been in his wife's company for some hours before the murder, and had left her in the woods, close to the Tower where she met her death. Rose Barnard and Kate Craigie had together heard the shots; one of which, in all probability, had killed Lady Hereward. Miss Ricardo, it had been ascertained, was one of the first persons who saw Sir Ian after his return through the woods, where he had parted with his wife, therefore her testimony fitted in at this point which had been reached.

If Terry had needed a warning, Kate's experience in the hands of the coroner would have given it. "Nothing can be asked of me that wasn't asked by that police-