Widnes Examiner. — 1907-10-26 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

CHAPTER XXX.  A murmur ran round the court as Fanny, with bent head, stepped into the box. What had happened to the girl? the crowd asked each other mutely. She was not only pale—that was only to be expected—but she was thin, and worn, and haggard, and she was shabbily dressed—she who had always been so neat and spruce. And why did she hang her head after the one shamefaced glance around?  In that glance her eyes had diet Talbot Denby's, but though there had been a halfpleading, assuring expression in his, hers remained sullen and woebegone. A spasm of apprehension ran through Talbot, but he told himself . that he had nothing to fear. For her own sake she would be silent as to her connection with him. And he would see her after the examination, give her money, bribe her to remain silent.  She answered the questions put to her by the prosecuting counsel in a low voice and with a piteous 'glance at Ralph's stern face, as if she wished him to know that she was giving her evidence reluctantly. She told the court how she had seen him and the deceased together on the night of the murder, had heard them quarrelling; and she turned to leave the box, when Mr. Selby rose and stopped her with a gesture. "One moment," he said, in quite a kindly manner. •"I want to ask you a few questions. Take your time and answer carefully. You know that this gentleman "—he inclined his head towards Ralph—"is charged with wilful murder, that a coroner's inquest has found him guilty, that he may be committed for trial, And that— but no, I,do not think he will be found guilty. But what I want you to realise is that your evidence is of the greatest moment, and that therefore you will speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth." "I —I have spoken the truth," she said, almost inaudibly. "I know you have," he said, quite quietly, "and I ask you, I charge you to continue doing so. Now pray be calm, I will not distress you more than I can help," for Fanny trembled 'so much that everyone could see her shaking as she held the edge of the box. "Now, the detective Who was sent to find you found you staying at a coffee-house. You were not in a situation ? " She shook her head. "No, sir." • Talbot, who had listened with an unmoved face, stirred in his seat to attract her attention and shot a warning glance at her. "Why did you leave your situation, the one you went up _froni here to fill ? " "I —I was not happy. I did not like it," she answered in a low voice. "Try to speak a little louder," said Mr. Selby, encouragingly. "You have nothing to fear while you speak the truth, the whole truth, you know. Where was that situation ? "  "In—in St. John's Wood," came the reply, still less audibly. Mr. Selby's eyes glinted, and he scanned her keenly. "St. John's Wood," he said, very softly and soothingly. "What was the address, and the name of your mistress?" Fanny's lips twitched, and she raised her oyes appealingly to the Bench. "Am I obliged—must I ans, er ? " she asked, piteously. "I've told all I w, and sorry 1 am to have to tell it. I—l woulln't do Mr. Ralph an injury: he knows I wouldn't! He was always kind to me. Oh. I wish I'd never gone! Must I answer?"