Part 25 (1/2)
”When?”
”This morning--when I made up her room.”
”Had you ever seen it before?”
”No, sir.”
”Why did you think it belonged to Miss Ames?”
”I didn't think anything about it. I found it there, and I supposed it belonged to Miss Ames, and I put it away.”
”Why did you put it in the medicine chest?”
The girl looked up, surprised.
”That seemed to me the proper place for it. Whenever I find a bottle of camphor or a jar of cold cream--or anything like that--I always put it in the medicine chest. That's where such things belong. So I thought it was the right place for the little dropper. Did I do wrong?”
”No, Maggie,” Driscoll said, kindly, ”that was all right. Now tell us exactly where you found it.”
”I did tell you. On the floor, just beside Miss Ames' bed. Near the head of the bed.”
”Well, Miss Ames--I guess it's up to you. What were you doing with this thing?”
”I didn't have it at all! I never saw it before!”
”Come, come, that won't do! How could it get there?”
”I don't know, but I didn't put it there.” The old lady trembled pitifully, and looked from one to another for help or guidance.
”Of course, she didn't!” cried Eunice. ”You sha'n't torment my aunt!
Cease questioning her! Talk to me if you choose--and as you choose--but leave Miss Ames alone!”
She faced her inquisitors defiantly, and even Shane quailed a little before her scornful eyes.
”Well, ma'am, as you see, I ain't got much choice in the matter. Here's the case. You and your aunt and Mr. Embury was shut in those three rooms. n.o.body else could get in. Come morning, the gentleman is dead--murdered. One of you two done it. It's for us to find out which--unless the guilty party sees fit to confess.”
”I do! I confess!” cried Aunt Abby. ”I did it, and I'm willing to go to prison!” She was clearly hysterical, and though her words were positive, they by no means carried conviction.
”Now, that's all bosh,” declared Shane. ”You're sayin' that, ma'am, to s.h.i.+eld your niece. You know she's the murderer and--”
Eunice flew at Shane like a wild thing. She grasped his arm and whirled him around toward her as she glared into his face, quivering with indignation.
”Coward!” she flung at him. ”To attack two helpless women--to accuse me--me, of crime! Why, I could kill yon: where you stand--for such an insinuation!”
”Say, you're some tiger!” Shane exclaimed, in a sort of grudging admiration. ”But better be careful of your words, ma'am! If you could kill me--ah, there!”
The last exclamation was brought forth by the sudden attack of Eunice, as she shook the big man so violently that he nearly lost his balance.
”Say, you wildcat! Be careful what you do! You are a tiger!”