Is it possible that you are ignorant of the part she played in your affairs or the reasons she had for the suicide with which she terminated her life ?" "I know nothing of the woman but that she was the mother of the girl who----" he hesitated, then added with a gesture of despair, "fell under my hand." The District Attorney said nothing in reply, he simply waited.

But no denial or further admission came.
"She was a friend of Mrs.Taylor," suggested the Chief Inspector as the silence grew somewhat oppressive.

"An old friend; a friend of her early days; do you not remember ?" "I do not." His tormentors went no further.

Why harass him for an item of knowledge which the morrow would certainly bring to light.

Instead, they hurried through the remaining formalities, adding to the reading already made a capitulation of such answers as he had given to their questions, and witnessing, while he signed both papers.
This done, he was left for a moment in peace, while the two officials drew aside into the embrasure of the window for a momentary conference.
He seemed to notice the hush, for he roused from the torpor into which he was again about to sink, and glanced cautiously about him.