The House Opposite Part 5

"Well, sah, she went out mighty early and stayed till late in de arternoon, and when she come in she had her veil all pulled down, but 'peared to me she had been crying."

"Did she say anything?"

"No, sah."

"Now, Joe, would it have been possible on Tuesday evening for a man to walk downstairs, and go out, without your seeing him, while you were running the elevator?"

"Yes, sah, p'raps," the lad answered, dubiously; "but Tony, he's de hall boy, he would 'a seen him."

"Have you told us all you know of the deceased?"

"Yes, sah."

"And you have not noticed any strangers hanging around the building during the last few days?"

"No, sah."

"Very well, then; you may go. Send in Tony."

"Yes, sah; t'ank you, sah," and Joe bowed himself out.

A few minutes later a small darky appeared.

"Now, Tony," began the Coroner, solemnly, "look at this man carefully; did you ever see him before?" The boy looked at the body attentively for some time, then said: "No, sah."

"Do you mean to say that you saw no one resembling the deceased come to this building on Tuesday evening?"

"No, sah."

"Where were you on that evening? Now, be careful what you answer."

"Well, sah, I went out 'bout half-past six to do some errands for Mr.

McGorry." McGorry nodded a.s.sent to this.

"And when did you return?"

"Guess it must have been mos' eight, sah, but I disremember, 'zactly."

"Did you see Miss Derwent either come in or go out on Tuesday evening?"

"Yes, sah, I seen her come; she had a satchel."

"But did you see her again after that?"

"No, sah."

"Mrs. Atkins--what did she do on Tuesday?"

"Dunno, sah; didn't see her go out all day."

"And yesterday, what did she do then?"

"Mrs. Atkins? She went out in de mornin' and come in in de ebenin'."

"Did you notice anything unusual about her?"

"Well, 'peared to us she'd been crying."

"Can you remember who went in or out of the building on Tuesday evening?" the Coroner asked.

"Well, sah, near's I can say only two gem'men come in--Mr. Stuart, and a gem'man who called on Mrs. Atkins."

"Does the corpse at all resemble that gentleman?"

"I couldn't rightly say, sah."

"Why not?"

"Well, sah, I was a-sittin' in de office when he come, an' I jus' see a big man go past and heard him talkin' loud in de elevator."

"While Joe was upstairs what did you do?"

"I sat in de front hall, sah."

"Did you see anyone go out?"

"No, sah."

After being severely admonished not to speak of this affair to anyone, Tony was allowed to depart.

"Now we have got through with the employees of the building," said the Coroner, "and must begin on the families and their servants."

"Yes, Mr. Coroner, and I think I had better step up-stairs myself and tell Mr. and Mrs. Atkins that you want to see them," said Mr. Merritt, "and, in case the lady should be overcome by the sad news, perhaps it would be as well for Dr. Fortescue to come along also."

I was only too delighted, of course.

CHAPTER IV

UNWILLING WITNESSES

Not waiting for the elevator, we walked up the intervening flight and rang a bell on our right. The door was opened by a neat-looking maid, who showed some surprise at our early call.

"Is Mr. Atkins at home?" inquired the detective.

"Yes, sir; but he is having his breakfast."