The House Opposite Part 4

"When was that?"

"Tuesday ebenin', sah."

"At what time?"

"It was a quarter to ten, 'zactly."

"How are you so sure of the exact time?" the Coroner asked, in some surprise.

"'Cause I thought it mighty late to call on a lady, and so I looked at de clock when I come down."

"Do you remember his ever calling on Miss Derwent before?"

"Why, sah, 'twasn't Miss Derwent he was calling on; 'twas Mrs. Atkins."

This was a surprise; even the detective seemed interested.

"So it was Mrs. Atkins he had been calling on," exclaimed the Coroner.

"No, sah; it were Mrs. Atkins he gwine ter call on. He only come at a quarter to ten. He wouldn't send up his card; said he's 'spected."

"And did Mrs. Atkins receive him?"

"Yes, sah."

"Do you remember at what time he left?"

"No, sah; I didn't see him go out."

"Now, Joe, there was another gentleman calling in the building on that evening. When did he leave?"

Joe seemed bewildered. "I didn't see no other gem'man, sah."

"Now, my lad, try and remember!"

"No, sah; I dun saw no one else. Mr. Stuart, he come in at ten----"

"No, no; it is a tall, dark gentleman, slightly resembling the corpse, that we want to hear about."

"I see no such party, sah."

"Didn't a gentleman answering to this description call here at about half-past six and ask for a lady?"

"I couldn't say, sah; I wa'n't in de building at dat time."

"Did you see Miss Derwent on Tuesday?"

"Yes, sah; I seen her arrive."

"Didn't you see her go out again?"

"No, sah."

"How long were you out?"

"I went out at six, sah, and stayed till eight, or maybe later."

"So you persist in saying that the only stranger you saw enter or leave the building on Tuesday evening, was the deceased?"

"Yes, sah."

"And you are quite sure that you are not mistaken in your identification?"

"Yes, sah; I noticed him partic'lar."

"What made you notice him particularly?"

The lad hesitated. "Out with it," said the Coroner.

"Well, sah, he seemed like he been drinking."

"How did he show it?"

"He talked loud and angry, sah."

"Do you know what he was angry about?"

"You see, sah, we have orders to ask visitors to send deir names, or deir cards up, and to wait in de reception room till we find out if de parties are at home, or will see dem. Well, he comes in and says very loud, gettin' into de elevator, 'Take me up to de fifth floor,' and I says, says I, 'Do you mean Mrs. Atkins?' and he says, 'Yes, fellow, and be quick 'bout it.' And den I asks him to wait, and send up his card, and he roars: 'Min' your own business, fellow; I'm 'spected.' So I gwine take him up, and rings de bell, and he says: 'Dat's all.' But I waited till de door opened, and there were Mrs. Atkins herself, and she didn't say not'in', and he jus' went in."

Joe paused for breath.

"Is Mrs. Atkins in the habit of answering the door-bell herself?"

"No, sah; I neber see her do so befo'."

"Was Mr. Atkins in the house at the time?"

"No, sah; de gem'man was out of town." Another sensation!

"When did he return?"

"Some time las' night."

"Now," inquired the Coroner, "what can you tell us about Miss Derwent's movements during the last two days?"

Joe's answers coincided, as far as they went, with Jim's statements.

"And Mrs. Atkins,--what did she do yesterday," the Coroner asked.