This witness was then questioned on the subject of the stocking, and Mrs. Goodwin’s hoard of money. He had seen the stocking but once, had often heard it mentioned by his sisters, did not think his wife had ever alluded to it, did not know the amount of the gold, but supposed it might be very considerable, saw the bureau examined, and knew that the stocking could not be found. In a word, his testimony in chief went generally to sustain the impression that prevailed relative to the murders, though it is unnecessary to repeat it in this form, as the cross-examination will better explain his statements and opinions. “Mr. Burton,” said Dunscomb, “you knew the Goodwins well?” “Very well, sir. As well as near neighbours generally know each other.” “Can you swear that those are the skeletons of Peter and Dorothy Goodwin?” “I can swear that I _believe_ them to be such—have no doubt of the fact.” “Point out that which you suppose to be the skeleton of Peter Goodwin.” This request embarrassed the witness. In common with all around him, he had no other clue to his facts than the circumstances under which these vestiges of mortality had been found, and he did not know what ought to be his reply. “I suppose the shortest of the skeletons to be Peter Goodwin’s, and the longest that of his wife,” he at length answered. “Peter was not as tall as Dorothy.” “Which is the shortest of these remains?” “That I could not say, without measuring. I know that Goodwin was not as tall as his wife by half an inch, for I have seen them measure.” “Then you would say that, in your opinion, the longest of these two skeletons is that of Dorothy Goodwin, and the shortest that of her husband?” “Yes, sir; that is my opinion—formed to the best of my knowledge. I have seen them measure.” “Was this measurement accurate?” “Very much so. They used to dispute about their height, and they measured several times, when I was by; generally in their stocking feet, and once barefoot.” “The difference being half an inch in favour of the wife?” “Yes, sir, as near as could be; for I was umpire more than once.” “Did Peter Goodwin and his wife live happily together?” “Tolerable—much as other married folks get along.” “Explain what you mean by that.” “Why, there’s ups and downs, I suppose, in all families. Dorothy was high-tempered, and Peter was sometimes cross-grained.” “Do you mean that they quarrelled?” “They got r’iled with each other, now and then.” “Was Peter Goodwin a sober man?”