Then I heard footsteps on the road. They were
coming towards me."
"Was it dark?"
"Yes, but not very dark. I could see the hedge across the way. The man
on foot and the man on the horse came together near where I stood."
"How near--twenty paces?"
"Less. I was about to call, when I heard the man on foot speak to the
other, who was riding past him."
"You saw both men clearly?"
"No," replied the woman firmly; "not clearly. I saw the one on the
road. He was a little man, and he limped in his walk."
In the stillness of the court Ralph could almost hear the woman
breathe.
"They were quarrelling, the two men; you heard what they said?" said
counsel, breaking silence.
"It's not true," cried the witness, in a hurried manner, "_I_ heard
nothing."
"This is no suborned witness, my lords," said counsel in a cold voice,
and with a freezing smile. "Well, woman?"
"The tall man leapt off his horse, and there was a struggle. The
little man was swearing. There was a heavy fall, and all was quiet
once more."
As she spoke the woman recoiled to the back of the box, and covered
her face in her hands.
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