Yes, you villain, Nanse M'Collum heard every word that passed between
you and her in the grassy quarry; an' Ellen, your worship, can prove it
too, if she's sent for."
This had little effect on the magistrate, who at no time placed any
reliance on Nell's assertions; he immediately, however, dispatched a
summons for Nanse M'Collum.
The carman then related all that he knew, every word of which strongly
corroborated what Lamh Laudher had said. He concluded by declaring it
to be his opinion, that the prisoner was innocent, and added, that,
according to the best of his belief, the box was not open when he left
it in the plaintiff's sleeping-room above stairs.
The magistrate again looked keenly and suspiciously towards Nell. At
this stage of the proceedings, O'Rorke's father and mother, accompanied
by some of their friends, made their appearance. The old man, however,
declined to take any part in the vindication of his son. He stood
sullenly silent, with his arms folded and his brows knit, as much in
indignation as in sorrow. The grief of the mother was louder, for she
wept audibly.
Ere the lapse of many minutes, the constable returned, and stated that
Nanse was not be found.
"She has not been at her master's house since morning," he observed,
"and they don't know where she is, or what has become of her."
The magistrate immediately despatched two of the constables, with strict
injunctions! to secure her, if possible.
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