There wasn't evidence enough to put Sergeant Basket in the dock alongside of her--though 'twas freely guessed he knew more than anyone (saving the prisoner herself) about the arsenic that was found in the little drawer and inside the old man's body.

He was subpoena'd from Plymouth, and cross-examined by a great hulking King's Counsel for three-quarters of an hour.

But they got nothing out of him.
All through the examination the prisoner looked at him and nodded her white face, every now and then, at his answers, as much as to say, "That's right--that's right: they shan't harm thee, my dear." And the love-light shone in her eyes for all the court to see.

But the sergeant never let his look meet it.

When he stepped down at last she gave a sob of joy, and fainted bang-off.
They roused her up, after this, to hear the verdict of _Guilty_ and her doom spoken by the judge.