lady asleep when she took away baby, and returned to awake her. She
had met Miss Inez who ordered her away about her business, saying my
lady was still asleep. Jane Pool said--"

THE CORONER--"Young woman, we _don't_ want to hear what Jane Pool
said. Jane Pool will tell her own story presently; we won't trouble
you to tell both. At what hour did you go up to the nursery yourself?"

ELLEN BUTTERS (more sulkily).--"I disremember; it was after eight. I
could tell all about it better, if you wouldn't keep interrupting and
putting me out. It was about a quarter or twenty minutes past eight, I
think--"

THE CORONER (dogmatically).--"What you think won't do. Be more precise
if you please, and keep your temper. What o'clock was it, I say, when
you went up to the nursery?"

ELLEN BUTTERS (excitedly).--"It was about a quarter or twenty minutes
past eight--how can I know any surer when I _don't_ know. I don't
carry a watch, and didn't look at the clock. I'm sure I never expected
to be badgered about it in this way. I said I'd go and wake my lady up
and not leave her there, to catch her death, in spite of fifty Miss
Catherons. I rapped at the door and got no answer, then I opened it
and went in. There was no light, but the moon was shining bright and
clear, and I saw my lady sitting, with her shawl around her, in the
arm-chair. I thought she was asleep and called her--there was no
answer. I called again, and put my hand on her bosom to arouse her.
Something wet my hand--it was blood. I looked at her closer, and saw
blood on her dress, and oozing in a little stream from the left breast.
Then I knew she had been killed. I ran screaming from the room, and