Mr. Wilson said he would offer no denial. [Mur-
murs in the house — " It is getting worse and worse
for Wilson's case."]

Mrs. Pratt testified that she heard no outcry, and
d;d not know what woke her up, unless it was the
sound of rapid footsteps approaching the front door.
She jumped up and ran out in the hall just as she
was, and heard the footsteps flying up the front
steps and then following behind her as she ran to the
sitting-room. There she found the accused standing
over her murdered brother. [Here she broke down
and sobbed. Sensation in the court.] Resuming,
she said the persons entering behind her were Mr.
Rogers and Mr. Buckstone.
Digitized by LjOOQ IC



Pudd'nhead Wilson 199

Cross-examined by Wilson, she said the twins pro-
claimed their innocence ; declared that they had been
taking a walk, and had hurried to the house in
response to a cry for help which was so loud and
strong that they had heard it at a considerable
distance ; that they begged her and the gentlemen
just mentioned to examine their hands and clothes
— which was done, and no blood stains found.
Confirmatory evidence followed from Rogers and
Buckstone.
The finding of the knife was verified, the advertise-
ment minutely describing it and offering a reward for
it was put in evidence, and its exact correspondence
with that description proved. Then followed a few
minor details, and the case for the State was closed.
