morning—I mean before the discovery—that caught your attention?     

       COKESON. Ye-es—a woman.     

       THE JUDGE. How is this relevant, Mr. Frome?     

       FROME. I am trying to establish the state of mind in which the prisoner committed this act, my lord.     

       THE JUDGE. I quite appreciate that. But this was long after the act.     

       FROME. Yes, my lord, but it contributes to my contention.     

       THE JUDGE. Well!     

       FROME. You say a woman. Do you mean that she came to the office?     

       COKESON. Ye-es.     

       FROME. What for?     

       COKESON. Asked to see young Falder; he was out at the moment.     

       FROME. Did you see her?     

       COKESON. I did.     

       FROME. Did she come alone?     

       COKESON. [Confidentially] Well, there you put me in a difficulty. I mustn't tell you what the office-boy told me.     

       FROME. Quite so, Mr. Cokeson, quite so——     

       COKESON. [Breaking in with an air of "You are young—leave it to me"]       But I think we can get round it. In answer to a question put to her by a third party the woman said to me: "They're mine, sir."     

       THE JUDGE. What are? What were?     

       COKESON. Her children. They were outside.     

       THE JUDGE. HOW do you know?     

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