Miss Mephistopheles: A Novel: (Sequel to Madame Midas.) — David Hume — John Shaqi
Miss Mephistopheles: A Novel: (Sequel to Madame Midas.)
David Hume · en
_Stewart_.--"No doubt; but I am in a position to be a member of the
Skylarks' Club, and as to being a clerk to Lazarus, it's merely a
matter of honour. When he engaged me he stipulated that I should stay
for six months, and though I unexpectedly came in for some money, I
felt myself bound in honour to keep my agreement."
_Coroner_.--"Thank you, that will do, Mr. Stewart. Call Mrs. Tibsey."
That lady, large, red-faced, and energetic, was sworn and gave her
evidence in a voluble manner. She had evidently been drinking, as
there was a strong odour of gin in the air, and kept curtseying to the
Coroner every time she answered.
"My name's Tibsey, my lord--Maria Tibsey. I've bin married twice, my
first being called Bliggings, and died of gunpowder--blowed up in a
quarry explosion. My second, also dead, sir, 'ad no lungs, and a corf
which tored him to bits. Only one child, sir, 'Tilda Bliggings, out in
service, my lord."
_Coroner_.--"Yes, yes, Mrs. Tibsey, we don't want to learn all these
domestic affairs. Come to the point."
_Mrs. Tibsey_.--"About Sating, sir?--I called 'im Sating, sir, 'cause
he were a robber of the widder and orfin--me, sir, and my darter. I
was a-talking to my darter on that night, your worships, she 'aving
visited me. I lives near old Sating, as it was 'andy to drop in to pop
anything, and about twelve I 'eard a scream--a 'orrid 'owl, as made my
back h'open and shut, so I ses, ''Tilda,' ses I,' old Sating is 'avin'
a time of it, e's boozin',' and that's all, sir."
_Coroner_.--"You never went to see what it was?"
_Mrs. Tibsey_.--"Me, my lord? no, your worship, it weren't my
bisiniss. I didn't think it were murder."
_Coroner_.--"You are quite sure it was twelve o'clock?"
_Mrs. Tibsey_.--"I swears h'it." Miss Matilda Bliggings was then
called, and deposed she also heard the scream, and that her mother had
said it must be old Lazarus. It was twelve o'clock.
Ezra Lazarus was then called, but could give no material evidence. He
said he had quarrelled with his father on the day preceding the
murder, and had not seen him since.
The next witness called caused a sensation, as it was none other than
Mr. Randolph Villiers, who stated:--
"My name is Villiers. I do nothing. I know old Lazarus. I was passing
through Russell Street, and leaned up against the shop door--I was
drunk--on my way to Little Bourke Street. I remember meeting Mr.
Stewart--think it was two, but ain't sure."
_Coroner_.--"Where were you before you met Mr. Stewart?"
_Villiers_.--"About the town somewhere."
_Coroner_.--"Alone?"
_Villiers_.--"Sometimes I was, sometimes I wasn't."
This ended all the evidence procurable, and the Coroner summed up.