“No. I saw the lady now present standing near the burning building, and held by a man—Peter Davidson, I think it was—who told me she wanted to rush into the house to look for the old folks.” “Did you see any efforts of that sort in her?” “Certainly. She struggled to get away from Peter, and acted like a person who wished to rush into the burning building.” “Were the struggles natural—or might they not have been affected?” “They might. If it was acting, it was _good_ acting. I have seen as good, however, in my life.” The doctor had a meaning manner, that said more than his words. He spoke very low—so low as not to be audible to those who sat in the farther parts of the room; which will explain the perfect indifference to his testimony, that was manifested by the subject of his remarks. An impression, however, was made on the jury, which was composed of men much disposed to push distrust to demonstration. The coroner now thought it time to spring the principal mine, which had been carefully preparing during the recess in the investigation; and he ordered “Mary Monson” to be called—a witness who had been regularly summoned to attend, among the crowd of persons that had received similar notices. CHAPTER IV. My deed’s upon my head! I crave the law, The penalty and forfeit of my bond. _Shylock._ The eyes of Dunscomb were fastened intently on the female stranger, as she advanced to the place occupied by the witnesses. Her features denoted agitation, certainly; but he saw no traces of guilt. It seemed so improbable, moreover, that a young woman of her years and appearance should be guilty of so dark an offence, and that for money, too, that all the chances were in favour of her innocence. Still, there were suspicious circumstances, out of all question, connected with her situation; and he was too much experienced in the strange and unaccountable ways of crime, not to be slow to form his conclusions.