was John Knapp, and the constable stepped into the witness box.

"What do you know of this business, Knapp?" the chairman asked.
"Just tell it your own way."

"I am constable of Crowswood, your honor, and yesterday Squire
Thorndyke said to me--"

"No, you must not tell it like that, Knapp; you must not repeat
what another person said to you. You can say that from information
received you did so and so."

"Yes, your honor. From information received I went to the Rev. Mr.
Bastow's house, at a quarter to nine last night. At nine o'clock
Squire Thorndyke and the Parson came in together. They sent the
servant up to bed, and then the Squire sent me round to examine the
fastenings of the doors. I found that one back door had been left
unfastened, and locked and bolted it. The Squire told me to lie
down until one o'clock, and he would watch, and Mr. Bastow went up
to bed."

"Do you know of your own knowledge why these precautions were
taken?"

"Only from what I was told, your honor. At one o'clock the Squire
woke me, and he lay down in the parlor, telling me to call him if
I heard any movement outside. About two o'clock I heard two horses
come into the Parson's yard. I called Squire Thorndyke, who went
upstairs to an open window; presently someone came and tried the
back door. I heard voices outside, but could not hear what was