"Only the squalling of the pea-fowul what was oncommon oneasy, and the thunder that was ear-splitting. One clap was so tremenjous it raised me plum off'en the pallet, and jarred me to my backbone, as if a cannon had gone off close by." "Now, Bedney, state carefully all the circumstances under which you found your master the next morning; and remember you are on your oath, to speak the truth, and all the truth." "He was a early riser, and always wanted his shavin' water promp'. When his bell didn't ring, I thought the storm had kep' him awake, and he was having a mornin' nap, to make up for lost time. The clock had struck eight, and the cook said as how the steak and chops was as dry as a bone from waitin', and so I got the water and went to Marster's door. It was shet tight, and I knocked easy. He never answered; so I knocked louder; and thinkin' somethin' was shorely wrong, I opened the door--" "Go on. What did you find?" "Mars Alfred, sir, it's very harryfyin to my feelins." "Go on. You are required to state all you saw, all you know." Bedney drew back his right foot, advanced his left. Took out his handkerchief, wiped his face and refolded his arms. "My Marster was layin' on the rug before the fireplace, and his knees was all drawed up. His right arm, was stretched out, so--and his left hand was all doubled up. I know'd he was dead, before I tetched him, for his face was set; and pinched and blue. I reckon I hollered, but I can't say, for the next thing I knowed, the horsler and the cook, and Miss Angerline, and Dyce, my ole 'oman, and Gord knows who all, was streamin' in and out and screamin'." "What was the condition of the room?" "The front window was up, and the blinds was flung wide open, and a cheer was upside clown close to it. The red vases what stood on the fire-place mantle was smashed on the carpet, and the handi'on was close to Marster's right hand. The vault was open, and papers was strowed plentiful round on the floor under it. Then the neighburs and the Doctor, and the Crowner come runnin' in, and I sot down by the bed and cried like a chile. Pretty soon they turned us all out and hilt the inquess." "You do not recollect any other circumstance?" "The lamp on the table was burnin'--and ther' wan't much oil left in it. I seen Miss Angerline blow it out, after the Doctor come." "Who found the chloroform vial?" "Don't know." "Did you hear any name mentioned as that of the murderer?" "Miss Angerline tole the Crowner, that ef the will was missin', Gen'l Darrington's granddaughter had stole it. They two, with some other gentleman, sarched the vault, and Miss Angerline said everything was higgledy piggledy and no will there." "You testified before the Coroner?" "Yes, sir." "Why did you not give him the handkerchief you found?" "I didn't have it then." "When and where did you get it? Be very careful now."