Year: 1859




The blood, as l have before said was
traced to her chamber. A considerable
sum of money was found in her trunks.
together with some old fashioned Jewell
ry which was known to have belonged to
the deceased. But if there was not
enough to convict her, there was still
more damning evidence. Her bedroom
window was found open, some drops of
blood were on the window-sill, and under
meath her window, in the long grass, was
found the knife with which the deed had
been committed. 1t was surrnised that
she had committed the deed, and after ia
king possession of the boarded money
and jewels, had gone to her own room,
and khrown the knife out of the window.
She had then retired to bed, where she
was discovered iE the morning fast asleep.


When heard all this, was far from
being satisfied. 1t seemed to me if she
had any intelligence at all, she would
have taken more pains to conceal her
guilt, and 1 made up my mind that if she
were guilty she must be one of the stu
pid, clumsy people we sometimes meet in
the world.


1next proceeded to examine the cham
Der where the deed had been committed,
very minutely. l had not been five min
utes in the apartment before 1 was salts
fed that Miss Millwood was innocent.


My reason for this conclusion were
these the wound inflicted on the deceas-
ed was too deep and extensive to have
been made by woman's hand. The
murderer, whoever he was, was left-hand-
ed. While searching the room l found
on the floor vest button it was rather
peculiar, being made of blue porcelain.
l put it in my pocket.


Ny next proceeding was to visit the
young lady in custody. Ny profession
procured me an order instantly, and I
was shown into her presence.


I Iexplained my business to her, and
stated who engaged me. When l men
toned her lovers name, tears filed her
eys. She was a very pretty girl; the
epitome of female modesty and delica-
cy.


Dear Henryr she exclaimed, how
noble he is. Thank God, he at least
does not believe me guilty!'


She could restrain herself no longer,
but wept bitterly.


i have been in prison for two days.
she continued after pause, and yet 1
cannot realize the fact. 1t appears like
a hideous dream to me. 1 Irepeat to my
self the question can it be possible
am arrested for the murder of my aunt
my benefactress? No, no, it cannot
be ?


Miss Millwood,' l returned, unless
we can set aside the evidence, know
not what we must do lit is fearfully strong
against you


You surely do not believe me guilty
of this fearful crime? she replied, her
face flushing with indignation.


I do not, but ii may be different with
a jury. Let me hear your statement


8 have no statement to make. NY
aunt retired early to rest that night. I
had headache and about ten O'Clock
took a cup Of tea. then grew very
sleepy and went to bed. Islept all night
through without waking. In fact, was
asleep when the officers of justice enter
ed my room


Did you sleep more soundly than US
ual?'


Now that you remind me of it, did,
indeed. scarcely ever remember to
have slept so soundly before, and even
when awakened, 1 was unaecountabIy
drowsy.'


Who gave you the tea you took the
night before?


The servant, Hannah


Do you suspect she could have COM
mitted the deed 2


Impossible! better servant, or one
more kind to my aunt, could not be found
than she is


After little more conversation. / took
my leave.


When l was outside the prison wall
must confess | was at loss. My opinion
as to Miss Millwood's innocence was con-
frmed, it is true, but I was no nearer dis
covering the real murderer. I next de-
termined | would visit the servant, Han
nah. She was confined as a witness.


Hound good looking girl, about twen-
ty-two years of age. The countenance
was an open one, bat there was an ex-
preston of deceit about her lips which I
did not ike. haven't much faith in