"My name is Mary Chickles. Father calls me Molly. I am the daughter of Sampson Chickles, and barmaid here. I knew the deceased, but he did not tell me his name. He arrived here two days ago--on Tuesday, at five, by the coach. He came into the bar, and asked me if he could put up here for a week. I told him he could, and called father, who arranged about the terms. He then went up to his bedroom and came down to dinner at six. After dinner he went into the parlour, and I think wrote a letter. After doing so he asked me where the post office was. I sent him with Boots, and heard afterwards that he posted his letter. On his return he sat down in the bar for a few minutes. There was no one there at the time. He seemed to me to be very weak, and told me his nerves were shattered. I asked him if he had consulted a doctor. He replied that he had done so, and was taking tonic pills every night before he went to bed. I said that I hoped he took them regular, as it was no use unless he did so. He assured me that he always took one pill every night without fail. He mentioned that he was going to stay for a time in Jarlchester, and hoped the quiet would do him good." _Coroner_.--"Did he say he was down here for his health?" _Witness_.--"Not exactly, sir; but he talked a good deal about his nerves, and such like. He said he was going to stay a week or so, and expected a friend to join him shortly." _Coroner_.--"Oh! a friend, eh! Man or woman?" _Witness_.--"He did not say, sir." _A Juryman_.--"When did he expect this friend?" _Witness_.--"He said in a few days, but did not mention any special time. After a short conversation he went to bed at nine o'clock, and next morning father told me he was dead." _Coroner_.--"Did he appear gloomy or low-spirited?" _Witness_.--"Oh, dear no, sir. A very pleasant-spoken gentleman. He said his nerves were bad, but I was quite astonished at his cheerfulness." _Coroner_.--"Did he say anything about the next day?" _Witness_.--"Yes, sir. He asked if there was anything to be seen in Jarlchester, and when I told him about the church, he said he would look it up next day." _A Juryman_.--"Do you think he had any intention of destroying himself?" _Witness_.--"Not so far as I saw, sir." _Coroner_.--"He did not mention anything about the letter?" _Witness_.--"Not a word, sir." _A Juryman_ (facetiously).--"Did you think him good-looking, Miss Molly?" _Witness_ (tossing her head).--"Well, not what I call handsome, sir; but there's no knowing what other girls think." With this parting shot, Miss Chickles retired to her usual place in the bar, and gossiped to outsiders about the present aspect of the case, while Sergeant Spills, the head of the Jarlchester police force, came forward to give his evidence. A crisp, dry-looking man, the Sergeant, with a crisp, dry manner, and a sharp ring in the tones of his voice; economical in his words, decisive in his speech.