"'I wish you to understand that it is entirely at your discretion whether you reply to certain of my questions. On that visit, so long ago, did you gather the impression that the deceased was glad to see you--that you were, in fact, welcome in his house?'--'I must speak the truth. He was not glad to see me; I was not welcome.' "'We can, therefore, arrive but at one conclusion--that there existed an absolute and distinct antipathy on one side or both. I come now to the night upon which the deceased met his death. Your niece was living with you then?'--'Yes.' "'I will not inquire into the circumstances of her taking up her residence with you when her father's home was open to her.'--'It was not open to her.' "'You say that? Not under any conditions? Had he positively refused ever to receive her again as a daughter?'--'Unless under conditions which were repugnant to her.' "'Then her father's home _was_ open to her if she were prepared to behave dutifully, and to obey him?'--'I cannot deny that; but as I have said, his conditions were repugnant to her.' "'Into those domestic matters it is not our business to inquire. A few hours before her father was murdered she left your house?'--'She did.' "'With your knowledge?'--'Without my knowledge.' "'How did you become acquainted with her movements?'--'She met our servant, and desired her to give us a message that she was going to Parksides to see her father.' "'It was a strange hour for her to leave. Did she return to your house on that night?'--'No.' "'The next morning?'--'Yes.' "'At what time?'--'At about ten o'clock.' "'Did she give you any explanation of her movements?'--'She could not do so. She was in a state of exhaustion and was very ill.' "'What was the nature of her illness?'--'She was delirious.' "'We have a certificate that she has brain fever.'--'It is unhappily true.' "'Do you recognize this veil?' (Veil produced.)--'It is one my niece wore.' "'On that night?'--'I cannot positively say, but it is hers.' "'Do you recognize this brooch?'--'I have seen it, but I do not think it has been in her possession for some weeks.' "'Can you swear to that?'--'No, I cannot swear to it.' "'When she returned home, did it strike you that she must have experienced some excitement?'--'Yes.' "'Some very strong excitement?'--'Yes.' "'And she gave you no explanation of it?'--'She could not, because of her condition.' "Mr. Cornwall asked no questions of this witness, who several times in the course of the examination was much agitated. "Witnesses were called who proved that the veil and the brooch were found near the body of the murdered man. "The coroner having addressed the jury, they considered their verdict, which was that Miser Farebrother had been murdered by some person or persons unknown. "We understand that a warrant has been issued for the arrest of Phoebe Farebrother on the charge of murdering her father, Miser Farebrother." CHAPTER XI.