"Oh, she is the one who always gives out medicines and such like to
the servants."

Urged to proceed, she went on to state that she had already told all
she knew about it. Hannah did not come back, nor was she to be found in
the house at breakfast time.

"You say she took a candle with her," said the coroner. "Was it in
a candlestick?"

"No, sir; loose like."

"Why did she take a candle? Does not Mr. Leavenworth burn gas in
his halls?"

"Yes, sir; but we put the gas out as we go up, and Hannah is
afraid of the dark."

"If she took a candle, it must be lying somewhere about the house.
Now, has anybody seen a stray candle?"

"Not as I knows on, sir."

"Is _this_ it?" exclaimed a voice over my shoulder.

It was Mr. Gryce, and he was holding up into view a half-burned
paraffine candle.

"Yes, sir; lor', where did you find it?"