; and then one evening, a week
or fortnight afterwards, when he came again to make further inquiries,
she was with him. But I did not speak to her--she stood back, as if she
were shy. I was interested, however, for old Mr. Brown had told me all
about her when he came back from the inquest.'

'Did you know Mrs. Manston before she called the other day?'

'No. You see she was only Mr. Brown's lodger for two or three weeks,
and I didn't know she was living there till she was near upon leaving
again--we don't notice next-door people much here in London. I much
regretted I had not known her when I heard what had happened. It led
me and Mr. Brown to talk about her a great deal afterwards. I little
thought I should see her alive after all.'

'And when do you say they came here together?'

'I don't exactly remember the day--though I remember a very beautiful
dream I had that same night--ah, I shall never forget it! Shoals of
lodgers coming along the square with angels' wings and bright golden
sovereigns in their hands wanting apartments at West End prices. They
would not give any less; no, not if you--'

'Yes. Did Mrs. Manston leave anything, such as papers, when she left
these lodgings originally?' said Edward, though his heart sank as he
asked. He felt that he was outwitted. Manston and his wife had been
there before him, clearing the ground of all traces.

'I have always said "No" hitherto,' replied the woman, 'considering I
could say no more if put upon my oath, as I expected to be. But speaking
in a common everyday way now the occurrence is past, I believe a few
things of some kind (though I doubt if they were papers) were left in
a workbox she had, because she talked about it to Mr. Brown, and was
rather angry at what occurred--you see, she had a temper by all account,
and so I didn't like to remind the lady of this workbox when she came
the other day with her husband.'

'And about the workbox?'

'Well, from what was casually dropped, I think Mrs. Manston had a few
articles of furniture she didn't want, and when she was leaving they
were put in a sale just by. Amongst her things were two workboxes very
much alike. One of these she intended to sell, the other she didn't, and
Mr. Brown, who collected the things together, took the wrong one to the
sale.'

'What was in it?'

'O, nothing in particular, or of any value--some accounts, and her usual
sewing materials I think--nothing more. She didn't take much trouble