n to the asylum, where she died.

"After this shock my father soon followed her to the grave, and I was
left with three poor girls on my hands, who could do nothing for
themselves in the world--hardly even what I told them--and with Jeremy
my brother. If it had not been for Jeremy, I might have managed
better. But he spoiled it all. He was wild from his youth. The least
opposition would arouse him to ungovernable fury. He would, like my
mother, take up a knife, an axe, or whatever was at hand, and strike
with incredible swiftness and strength.

"After we had lost our money--after _I_ had lost it, that is--my own
and my family's--it became my duty to provide for them more than ever.
I had lost it, because richer people had revenged on me and on these
four helpless ones my poor father's too rapid success. So I had no
right to be squeamish as to means of vengeance on the rich.

"But while we were in the midst of some sad dreamy days at Bristol,
Jeremy began to bring home money, for which he either would or could
give no account. Nevertheless, I could not be sure which of the two it
was. He was so wayward that if I ventured to ask for an explanation
that would be a sufficient reason for his refusing it.

"I began, however, to notice that within a day or two after Jeremy's
flush periods, there was always a hue and cry in the papers--a sailor
robbed and his body found floating in the dock, a 'long course' captain
knocked on the head, and the ship's money missing. Now Jeremy could
never be kept away from the docks. Jeremy had plenty of money. Jeremy
only laughed when I asked him how he earned so much without a trade.

"'I can play the fiddle!' he would answer, jeering at me.

"Yet, because there was no other money, and I could not let my sisters
(who at least had done no wrong) suffer, I used what he brought. For
neither, I was sure (and the thought comforted me), had Jeremy done
wrong, _because the mad can do no crime_. The worst the law can do, is
only to shut them up. And in the meantime the money was most
convenient."

Here she paused, and a sort of groan ran all round the courthouse, as
the meaning and scope of the woman's revelation began to dawn upon the
packed audience. Aphra Orrin, being in her senses, had employed the
madman, her brother, to murder right and left that the wants of her
brood might be met!

There arose a hoarse mingled shout: "Tear her to pieces!" before which,
however, Aphra ne