It was an important piece of
evidence.
The girl stated that Bolton had retired to bed at eight on the
ground floor, and the bedroom had a window--as marked in the
plan--which looked on to the river a stone-throw distant. At
nine or a trifle later witness went out to have a few words with
her lover. In the darkness she saw that the window was open and
that Bolton was talking to an old woman muffled in a shawl. She
could not see the woman's face, nor judge of her stature, as she
was stooping down to listen to Bolton. Witness did not take much
notice, as she was in a hurry to see her lover. When she
returned past the window at ten o'clock it was closed and the
light was extinguished, so she thought that Mr. Bolton was
asleep.
"But, to tell the truth," said Eliza Flight, "I never thought
anything of the matter at all. It was only after the murder that
I saw how important it was I should remember everything."
"And you have?"
"Yes, sir," said the girl, honestly enough. "I have told you
everything that happened on that night. Next morning--" She
hesitated.
"Well, what about next morning?"
"Mr. Bolton had locked his door. I know that, because a few
minutes after eight on the night before, not knowing he had
retired.
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