The one most to the purpose was an account of the examination of
Molly Cox, the waiting-woman, who had been in attendance on the
unfortunate Margaret, and whose story tallied fairly with Aunt
Peggy's tradition. She declared that she was sure that her mistress
had met with foul play. She had left her as usual at ten o'clock on
the fatal 27th of December 1707, in the inner one of the old
chambers; and in the night had heard the tipsy return home of the
gentlemen, followed by shrieks. In the morning she (the maid) who
usually was the first to go to her room, was met by Mistress Betty
Winslow, and told that Madam was ill, and insensible. The old nurse
of the Winslows was called in; and Molly was never left alone in the
sick-room, scarcely permitted to approach the bed, and never to
touch her lady. Once, when emptying out a cup at the garden-door,
she saw a mark of blood on the steps, but Mr. Philip came up and
swore at her for a prying fool. Doctor Tomkins was sent for, but he
barely walked through the room, and 'all know that he is a mere
creature of Philip Winslow,' wrote the Mrs. Fordyce of that date to
her son. And presently after, 'Justice Eastwood declared there is
no case for a Grand Jury; but he is a known Friend and sworn Comrade
of the Winslows, and bound to suppress all evidence against them.
Nay, James Dearlove swears he saw Edward Winslow slip a golden
Guinea into his Clerk's Hand.
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