God save us, how I ever got out
into the street, I'll never know."
She rocked to and fro and fanned herself with her apron.
"It must have been a very severe shock, Mrs. Dwyer," agreed the
coroner. "Now," after a pause, "do you know anything--however slight,
mind you--that would seem to point to who did this thing?"
Mrs. Dwyer shook her head.
"Me acquaintance with Mr. Hume was a business one only, sir," she
said. "I never set foot into his place further than the hall except on
the days when I went to get me pay--and this morning, save us from
harm!"
"You know nothing of his friends then--of his habits?"
"There is the Jew boy, outside there, that worked for him. He's a
nice, good mannered little felly, and is the only person I ever see
in the office when I went there, barrin' the boss himself. As for Mr.
Hume's habits, I can say only what everybody knows. He were drunk when
he engaged me, and he were drunk the last time I seen him alive."
"That will be all, Mrs. Dwyer," said Stillman. "Thank you. Curran,
I'll see the young man next."
As Curran and Mrs. Dwyer went out the young coroner turned to his two
visitors.
"I am still assured that we have the motive for the crime in the
attempt to steal the painting," he said.
Pages:
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80