"I saw," Luigi paused so long that I feared he was going to collapse.
But the coroner eyed him sternly, and he went on. "I saw Miss Van
Allen standing, looking down at this--this gentleman on the floor, and
making as if to pull out the knife. I could scarcely believe my eyes,
and I watched her. She didn't pull the knife, but she straightened
up, looked around, glanced down at her gown, which--which was stained
with blood--and then--she ran out into the hall."

"Where did she go?"

"I don't know. I couldn't see, as the door was but on a crack. Then I
thought I ought to go into the dining-room, and I did. I looked at the
gentleman, and I didn't know what to do. So I went into the hall, to
the parlor door, and called for help, for a doctor or somebody. And
then they all came out here. That's all I know."

Luigi's nerve gave way, and he sank into a chair with a sob. Fenn
looked at him, and considerately left him alone for the time.

"Can this be true?" he said, turning to us. "Can you suspect Miss Van
Allen of this crime?"

"No!" cried Bert Garrison and the women, at once. And, "No!" said I.
"I am positive Miss Van Allen did not know Mr. Somers and could not
have killed an utter stranger--on no provocation whatever."

"You do not know what provocation she may have had," suggested Fenn.

"Now, look here, Mr. Coroner," said Mrs. Reeves very decidedly, "I