Zerah was in no condition to answer. “And why did you not go on with Jane Redmore?” asked the constable of Kitty. “Because’I cannot say.” “Oh, you cannot say? Mind, what you speak now may be used again’ you at your trial. I’m bound to tell you that, and you ain’t obliged to answer. Nevertheless, if you can give a reasonable account of yourself, I’m not called on to think you guilty, and arrest you. What was you a-doing of yourself all that half an hour, when you wasn’t with Jane Redmore, a-seeing of her home?” He paused for an answer, and received none. “Am I to understand you won’t say? You ain’t forced to do so, you know.” “I had rather not say,” replied Kate in a low voice. “I suppose there was a candle in the lantern when you went out?” “Yes.” “Was it burnt out?” Pooke looked into the socket in the lantern. “No,” he said; “it has illicitly been removed. There is no guttering of grease. How do you account for that?” Kate made no answer. “We know very well how your rick was fired,” said Pepperill. “It seems to me, Mr. Pooke, that mine was set alight to in much the same way.” “How do you account for the candle being gone?” asked the constable. Again no answer. “Now, look here,” said he. “You’re a little maid, and I don’t want to deal hard with you. If you can give me an explanation of your conduct as will satisfy, why, I’ll not proceed to extremities. But I must say that things look ugly. If you was innocent, you could say so.” “I am innocent.” “Then how came the rick to be fired?” Kate made no reply. She was trembling, and nervously plucking at her light shawl, tearing away and unravelling the fringe. “You alone had the lantern. It wasn’t Mrs. Redmore now’eh?’or her husband?” “Oh no, no!” replied Kate eagerly. “She had nothing to do with it. She had gone away along the lane, some time before”’She halted. “Oh! you know how the fire arose?” Kate gave no reply. “I’m afraid it’s a bad case, and I must do my duty, and convey you to the lock-up.” “Oh, aunt!” cried the girl, turning towards Zerah, who stood cowed, speechless, in the background. “Oh, aunt! let me speak with you alone.” “No! it is of no use,” said Pasco, stepping between the girl and his wife. “Nothin’ that she can say to Zerah will avail, and certainly nothin’ that Zerah can say will persuade me. Remove her at once.” The constable laid his hand on Kate’s shoulder. “One question more. Mind, I caution you not to answer unless you choose. If Mrs. Redmore was not with you, she had gone on. Were you alone, Kitty, in the stackyard after she left; and how was it you were there so long? Say, was there anyone with you?” “Aunt, let me speak to you!” in a despairing cry.