"What dogs?"

She bent her head and spoke so low that she had to be told to
repeat her answer: "I don't know."

"How do you mean--you don't know?"

"I don't know what dogs. . ."

The Judge again intervened: "Try to tell us exactly what
happened. How long did you remain at the foot of the stairs?"

"Only a few minutes."

"And what was going on meanwhile overhead?"

"The dogs kept on snarling and panting. Once or twice he cried
out. I think he moaned once. Then he was quiet."

"Then what happened?"

"Then I heard a sound like the noise of a pack when the wolf is
thrown to them--gulping and lapping."

(There was a groan of disgust and repulsion through the court,
and another attempted intervention by the distracted lawyer. But
the inquisitive Judge was still inquisitive.)

"And all the while you did not go up?"