"That was about five minutes afterwards?"

"About that, sir."

"Did anybody come out of the house before this gentleman's
arrival?"

"No, sir. That is to say I didn't see 'em."

Stevens followed. She gave her evidence much as she had given it
to the Inspector. Nothing new was brought out by her
examination. Then came Elsie. As the reporters scribbled down
what she had overheard, they added in brackets "Sensation" for
the first time that afternoon.

"How soon after you had heard this did the shot come?" asked the
Coroner.

"Almost at once, sir."

"A minute?"

"I couldn't really say, sir. It was so quick."

"Were you still in the hall?"

"Oh, no, sir. I was just outside Mrs. Stevens' room. The
housekeeper, sir."