"One might enter that door, pass directly round the foot of the bed
to the stand, procure the pistol, and cross half-way over to the
passage-way, without being seen by any one sitting or standing in the
library beyond."

"Holy Virgin!" exclaimed the horrified cook, throwing her apron
over her head as if to shut out some dreadful vision. "Hannah niver
would have the pluck for that; niver, niver!" But Mr. Gryce, laying a
heavy hand on the woman, forced her back into her seat, reproving and
calming her at the same time, with a dexterity marvellous to behold.
"I beg your pardons," she cried deprecatingly to those around; "but it
niver was Hannah, niver!"

The clerk from Bohn's here being dismissed, those assembled took the
opportunity of making some change in their position, after which, the
name of Mr. Harwell was again called. That person rose with manifest
reluctance. Evidently the preceding testimony had either upset some
theory of his, or indubitably strengthened some unwelcome suspicion.

"Mr. Harwell," the coroner began, "we are told of the existence
of a pistol belonging to Mr. Leavenworth, and upon searching, we
discover it in his room. Did you know of his possessing such an
instrument?"

"I did."

"Was it a fact generally known in the house?"

"So it would seem."