[Evidence-users] nders was talking "agen him" l

[Jorstad C. <giv...@tk...>]

Ment, Mrs. Costrell," said Saunders, gently
rubbing his hands. "With your leave, John and I 'ull just inspeck the
cupboard _hup_stairs before leavin'--an' then we'll clear out double
quick. But we'll 'ave one try if we can't 'it on somethin' as 'ull show
'ow the thief got in--with your leave, of _coorse_." Bessie hesitated;
then she threw some spoons she held into the water beside her with a
violent gesture. "Go where yer wants," she said, and returned to her
washing. Saunders began to climb the narrow stairs, with John behind
him. But the smith's small eyes had a puzzled look. "There's
_somethin'_ rum," he said to himself. "'Ow _did_
she spend it all? 'As she been carryin' on with some one be'ind Isaac's
back, or is Isaac in it too? It's one

or t'other." Meanwhile, Bessie, left behind, was consumed by a
passionate
effort of memory. _What_ had she done with the key the night before,
after she had locked the cupboard? Her brain was blurred. The blow--the
fall--seemed
to have confused even the remembrance of the scene with
Timothy. How was it, for instance, that she had put the box
back in the wrong place? She put her hand to
her head, trying in an anguish to recollect the exact details. The
little widow sat, meanwhile, a few yards away,
her thin hands clasped on her lap in her usual attitude of humble
entreaty; her soft, grey eyes, brimmed with tears, were fixed on
Bessie. Bessie
did not know that she was there--that
she existed. The door had closed after the two men. Bessie could hear
vague movements, but nothing more. Presently she could bear it no
longer. She went to the door and opened it. She was just in time. By
the
light of the bit of candle that