The House of the White Shadows. Farjeon Benjamin Leopold

But there was something superior about Madeline which puzzled me."

      "How? In what way?"

      "It was only an impression. Yet there were signs. Pauline's hands were hard and coarse; and from remarks she made from time to time I knew that she was peasant-born. Madeline's hands were soft and delicate, and she had not been accustomed to toil, which all peasants are, from their infancy almost."

      "From this do you infer that they were not related to each other?"

      "I am sure they were related to each other. Perhaps few had the opportunities of judging as well as I could. When they were in a quiet mood I have seen expressions upon their faces so exactly alike as to leave no doubt that they were closely related."

      "Sisters?"

      "I cannot say."

      "Or mother and daughter?"

      "I wish to tell everything I know, but to say nothing that might be turned into a reproach against them."

      "We have every confidence in you. Judgment can be formed from the bearing of persons towards each other. Pauline loved Madeline?"

      "Devotedly."

      "There is a distinctive quality in the attachment of a loving mother for her child which can scarcely be mistaken; it is far different, in certain visible manifestations-especially on occasions where there is any slight disagreement-between sisters. Distinctive, also, is the tenderness which accompanies the exercise of a mother's authority. Bearing this in mind, and recalling to the best of your ability those particulars of their intercourse which came within your cognisance, which hypothesis would you be the more ready to believe-that they were sisters or mother and child?"

      "That they were mother and child."

      "We recognise your anxiety to assist us. Pauline's hands, you say, were coarse, while Madeline's were soft and delicate. Ordinarily, a peasant woman brings up her child as a peasant, with no false notions; in this instance, however, Pauline brought Madeline up with some idea that the young girl was superior to her own station in life. Else why the unusual care of the child? Supposing this line of argument to be correct, it appears not to be likely that the attentions of a man like Gautran would be encouraged."

      "They were not encouraged."

      "Do you know that they were not encouraged from statements made to you by Pauline and Madeline?"

      "Yes."

      "Then Gautran's declaration that he was Madeline's accepted lover is false?"

      "Quite false."

      "He speaks falsely when he says that Madeline promised to marry him?"

      "It is impossible."

      "Four nights before Madeline met her death, was Gautran outside your house?"

      "Yes; he was prowling about there with his evil face, for a long time."

      "Did you go to him, and ask him what he wanted?"

      "Yes."

      "Did he tell you that he must see Madeline?"

      "Yes, and I went into the house, and informed the girl. She said she would not see him, and I went down to Gautran and told him so. He then tried to force himself into the house, and I stood in his way. He struck me, and Madeline, frightened by my cries, ran to the door, and begged him to go away."

      "It is a fact that he was often seen in Madeline's company?"

      "Yes; do what they would, they could not get rid of him; and they were frightened, if they angered him too much, that he would commit an act of violence."

      "As he did?"

      "As he did. It is written on Madeline's grave."

      "Had the poor girl any other lovers?"

      "None that I should call lovers. But she was greatly admired."

      "Was any one of these lovers especially favoured?"

      "Not that I knew of."

      "Did any of them visit the house?"

      "No-but may I speak?"

      "Certainly."

      "It was not what I should call a visit. A gentleman came once to the door, and before I could get there, Pauline was with him. All that I heard was this: 'It is useless,' Pauline said to him; 'I will not allow you to see her, and if you persecute us with your attentions I will appeal for help to those who will teach you a lesson.' 'What is your objection to me?' he asked, and he was smiling all the time he spoke. 'Am I not a gentleman?' 'Yes,' she answered; 'and it is because of that, that I will not permit you to address her. Gentlemen! I have had enough of gentlemen!' 'You are a foolish woman,' he said, and he went away. That is all, and that is the only time-except when I saw Pauline in conversation with a man. He might have been a gentleman, but his clothes were not the clothes of one; neither were they the clothes of a peasant. They were conversing at a little distance from the house. I did not hear what they said, not a word, and half an hour afterwards Pauline came home. There was a look on her face such as I had never observed-a look of triumph and doubt. But she made no remark to me, nor I to her."

      "Where was Madeline at this time?"

      "In the house."

      "Did you see this man again?"

      "A second time, two evenings after. A third time, within the same week. He and Pauline spoke together very earnestly, and when anyone approached them always moved out of hearing. During the second week he came to the house, and inquired for Pauline. She ran downstairs and accompanied him into the open road. This occurred to my knowledge five or six times, until Pauline said to me, 'To-morrow I am going on a journey. Before long I may be able to reward you well for the kindness you have shown us.' The following day she left, and I have not seen her since."

      "Did she say how long she would be likely to be away?"

      "I understood not longer than three weeks."

      "That time has passed, and still she does not appear. Since she left, have you seen the man who was so frequently with her?"

      "No."

      "He has not been to the house to make inquiries?"

      "No."

      "Is it not possible that he may have been Pauline's lover?"

      "There was nothing of the lover in his manner towards her."

      "There was, however, some secret between them?"

      "Evidently."

      "And Madeline-was she acquainted with it?"

      "It is impossible to say."

      "You have no reason to suppose, when Pauline went away, that she had no intention of returning?"

      "I am positive she intended to return."

      "And with good news, for she promised to reward you for your kindness?"

      "Yes, she did so."

      "Is it not probable that she, also, may have met with foul play?"

      "It is probable; but Heaven alone knows!"

      CHAPTER XVI

      THE CONCLUSION OF THE PROSECUTION

      It length the case for the prosecution was concluded, with an expression of regret on the part of counsel at the absence of Pauline, who might have been able to supply additional evidence, if any were needed, of the guilt of the prisoner.

      "Every effort has been made," said counsel, "to trace and produce this woman, but when she parted from the murdered girl no person knew whither she was directing her steps; even the Widow Joseph, the one living person besides the mysterious male visitor who was in frequent consultation with her, can furnish us with no clue. The victim of this foul and horrible crime could most likely have told us, but her lips are sealed by the murderer's hand, the murderous wretch who stands before you.

      "It has been suggested that Pauline has met with foul play. It may be so; otherwise, it is humanly impossible to divine the cause that could keep her from this trial.

      "Neither have we been able