“He was a youngish, heavily-built man of about five-and-thirty, with a nervous, not altogether prepossessing expression of face. Pressed by the coroner, he gave us a few details of Old Man Newton’s earlier history, such as I have already told you. “‘Old Mat,’ he explained, with some hesitation, ‘was for ever wanting to find out who the gentleman was who had promised marriage to Mary four years ago. But Mary was that obstinate, and wouldn’t tell him, and this exasperated the old man terribly, so that they had many rows on the subject.’ “‘I suppose,’ said the coroner tentatively, ‘that you never knew who that gentleman was?’ “Samuel Holder seemed to hesitate for a moment. His manner became even more nervous than before; he shifted his position from one foot to the other; finally, he said: “‘I don’t know as I ought to say, but——’ “‘I am quite sure that you must tell us everything you know which might throw light upon this extraordinary and terrible murder,’ retorted the coroner sternly. “‘Well,’ replied Samuel Holder, whilst great beads of perspiration stood out upon his forehead, ‘Mary never would give up the letters she had had from him, and she would not hear anything about a breach of promise case and £5,000 damages; but old Mat ’e often says to me, says ’e, “It’s young Mr. Ledbury,” ’e says, “she’s told me that once. I got it out of ’er, and if I only knew where to find ’im——”’ “‘You are quite sure of this?’ asked the coroner, for Holder had paused, and seemed quite horrified at the enormity of what he had said. “‘Yes—yes—your worship—your honour——’ stammered Holder. ‘’E’s told me ’twas young Mr. Ledbury times out of count, and——’ “But Samuel Holder here completely broke down; he seemed unable to speak, his lips twitched convulsively, and the coroner, fearing that the man would faint, had him conveyed into the next room to recover himself, whilst another witness was brought forward. “This was Michael Pitkin, landlord of the Fernhead Arms, at Ayrsham, who had been on very intimate terms with old Newton during the four years which elapsed after Mary’s disappearance. He had a very curious story to tell, which aroused public excitement to its highest pitch. “It appears that to him also the old man had often confided the fact that it was Mr. Ledbury who had promised to marry Mary, and then had shamefully left her stranded and moneyless in London.