MR. WALTERS: Thank you, Canon Crisparkle. That will do. [EVIDENCE OF HELENA LANDLESS.] MR. WALTERS: Call Helena Landless. USHER: Helena Landless! [That lady was conducted to the witness-box, and duly sworn.] MR. WALTERS: What is your name, please? WITNESS: Helena Landless. MR. WALTERS: And you have a brother named Neville? WITNESS: Yes; a twin brother. MR. WALTERS: Is there a great bond of sympathy between you and your brother? WITNESS: A very great bond. MR. WALTERS: Is it so strong that you have an intimate understanding of each other? WITNESS: We almost know each other’s thoughts. MR. WALTERS: And I think you are accustomed to exercise influence on him—perhaps to lead him? WITNESS: It always has been so. MR. WALTERS: Where did you live when young? WITNESS: In Ceylon. MR. WALTERS: With your parents? WITNESS: No. My parents died when we were young, and a step-father brought us up. MR. WALTERS: How did he treat you? WITNESS: Very badly indeed. He was always cruel and harsh to us. MR. WALTERS: Ever beat you? WITNESS: We were whipped like dogs, and we ran away. MR. WALTERS: How old were you when you first ran away? WITNESS: Seven. MR. WALTERS: Who suggested running away? WITNESS: I did. MR. WALTERS: And did your brother follow you? WITNESS: He always followed me. MR. WALTERS: You planned everything? WITNESS: I always planned. MR. WALTERS: Weren’t you afraid to run away? WITNESS: I was afraid of nothing to be free. MR. WALTERS: What did you do in order to make a flight successful? WITNESS: I cut off my hair, and dressed myself as a boy. MR. WALTERS: That needed a great amount of daring? WITNESS: Well, the occasion needed all the daring I could command. MR. WALTERS: And when it needs all the daring you can command, you don’t mind daring? WITNESS: No. MR. WALTERS: As a matter of fact, you did it, I think, not only for yourself, but for your brother? WITNESS: I think more for him than for myself. MR. WALTERS: And you love your brother very much? WITNESS: Dearly. MR. WALTERS: Still? WITNESS: Yes. MR. WALTERS: Would you do as much again, Miss Landless? WITNESS: I would; and more. MR. WALTERS: As much for anybody else you love? WITNESS: If I loved them dearly enough. MR. WALTERS: You have lately come to England. When you came, tell us where you resided. WITNESS: I went to Miss Twinkleton’s at the Nun’s House, and my brother went to Mr. Crisparkle’s. MR. WALTERS: I believe the Nun’s House is an Academy? WITNESS: Yes. MR. WALTERS: Other girls there? WITNESS: Yes, several. MR. WALTERS: Miss Rosa Bud there? WITNESS: Yes. MR. WALTERS: Ever meet her? WITNESS: Yes. MR. WALTERS: Ever become friends with her? WITNESS: Yes; very great friends. MR. WALTERS: Did you form an estimate of her character? WITNESS: I thought she was a sweet, lovable girl, but shy and timid. MR. WALTERS: Not got your daring? WITNESS: No. MR. WALTERS: She was learning music, I think? Who was her tutor?