Miss Thornycroft appeared, led in by her brother Richard. She wore a rich black silk dress, a velvet mantle, and small bonnet with blue flowers. Her face was of a deadly white, her lips were compressed; but she delivered her evidence with composure (unlike Miss Chester), in a low, deliberate, thoughtful tone. Her account of their going on to the plateau, and running inside the Round Tower at the approach of some man, who appeared to be following them, was the same as that given by the last witness. The coroner inquired if she had recognised Robert Hunter. "Yes," was the reply. "I saw the outline of his face and figure distinctly, and knew him. I recognised him first by the coat he had on; it was quite conspicuous in the star-light. He was standing on the brink, apparently looking out over the sea. "That was before you saw the man who came running on to the plateau?" "Yes." "Who was that man?" Mary Anne Thornycroft laid her hand upon her heart, as if pressing down its emotion, before she answered. "I cannot tell." "Did you not know him?" "No." "Upon your oath?" Miss Thornycroft again pressed her hands, both hands, upon her bosom, and a convulsive twitching was perceptible in her throat; but she replied, in a low tone, "Upon my oath." "Then, he was a stranger?" She bowed her rigid face in reply, for the white strained lips refused to answer. Motions are no answers for coroners, and this one spoke again. "I ask you whether he was a stranger?" "Yes." "From what direction did he come?" "I do not know. He was near the Round Tower before I saw him." "You saw him draw the pistol and fire?" "Yes." "Now, young lady, I am going to ask you a painful question, but the ends of justice demand that you should answer it. Was that man your brother, Cyril Thornycroft?" "No," she answered, in the sharp tone of earnest truth, "I swear it was not--I swear it before Heaven. The man bore no resemblance whatever to my brother Cyril; he was at least a head taller." "Did he aim at Robert Hunter?" "I cannot say. Robert Hunter was standing with his face towards us then, and I saw him fall back, over the precipice." "With a yell, did he not?" "Yes, with a yell." "What then?" "I cannot tell what, I believe I shrieked--I cannot remember. I next saw the man running away across the plateau." "The witness Sarah Ford's evidence would seem to say that he lingered a few moments after firing the pistol--before escaping," interposed the coroner. "It is possible. I was too terrified to retain a clear recollection of what passed. I remember seeing him run away, and then Sarah Ford came up." "Should you recognise that man again?" Miss Thornycroft hesitated. The room waited in breathless silence for her answer. "I believe not," she said; "it was only starlight. I am sure not."