so had motive and opportunity. Those two points are of quite as
much importance as evidence."

"She had motive and opportunity," I agreed, "but they were not
exclusive. As Mr. Porter pointed out, the open windows gave opportunity
that was world wide; and as to motive, how are we to know who had or who
hadn't it."

"You're right, I suppose. Perhaps I am too positive of Miss Lloyd's
implication in the matter, but I'm quite willing to be convinced to the
contrary."

The remarks of Mr. Parmalee were of course not audible to any one save
myself. But the speeches which had been made by Mr. Crawford and Mr.
Porter, and which, strange to say, amounted to an arraignment and a
vindication almost in the same breath, had a decided effect upon the
assembly.

Mrs. Pierce began to weep silently. Gregory Hall looked startled, as
if the mere idea of Miss Lloyd's implication was a new thought to him.
Lawyer Randolph looked considerably disturbed, and I at once suspected
that his legal mind would not allow him to place too much dependence on
the statements of the girl's sympathetic friends.

Mr. Hamilton, another of the jurors whom I liked, seemed to be
thoughtfully weighing the evidence. He was not so well acquainted with
Miss Lloyd as the two men who had just spoken in her behalf, and he made
a remark somewhat diffidently.

"I agree," he said, "with the sentiments just expressed; but I also
think that we should endeavor to find some further clues or evidence.
Had Mr. Crawford any enemies who would come at night to kill him? Or are
there any valuables missing? Could robbery have been the motive?"

"It does not seem so," replied the coroner. "Nothing is known to be
missing. Mr. Crawford's watch and pocket money were not disturbed."

"The absence of the weapon is a strange factor in the case," put in Mr.
Orville, apparently desirous of having his voice heard as well as those
of the other jurors.

"Yes," agreed Mr. Monroe; "and yet it is not strange that the criminal
carried away with him what might have been a proof of his identity."

"Does Miss Lloyd own a pistol?" blurted out Mr. Parmalee.

Gregory Hall gave him an indignant look, but Coroner Monroe seemed
rather glad to have the question raised--probably so that it could be
settle at once in the negative.

And it was.

"No," replied Mrs. Pierce, when the query was put to her. "Both Florence
and I are desperately afraid of firearms. We wouldn't dream of owning a
pistol--