"I had not the honor of Mrs.
Lester's acquaintance, but I knew her well by sight, and I received the shock of my life last evening when I heard of her terrible end.

It is an extraordinary thing, seeing that we were such close neighbors, but I believe you got the news long before I did, because I left home early and heard nothing of what had happened till my man met me at Waterloo in the evening." "You have seen the--the detectives in the meantime ?" "Yes." "Then you will be able to tell me something definite.

I have promised to call at Scotland Yard at eleven o'clock, and the only scraps of intelligence I have gathered are those in the papers.

I would have come to London last night, but was afraid to travel, lest I should faint in the train.

Moreover, some one in London promised to send a detective to see me.