BIRDS' NESTS. 225 



in, that it was impossible to doubt that the 

 two had once formed one and the same sheet. 

 And not only did the pieces exactly correspond 

 in shape, but the fracture had been made 

 through the word GAZETTE, printed at the 

 top, in such a way that the G and part of the 

 A were on the small piece, and the rest on the 

 large. 



" We have no doubt," said he, " that this 

 small piece of paper once formed a part of the 

 same newspaper with the large. Since this, 

 however, is a serious matter, I will thank you, 

 Mr. Miller, to answer a few questions that I 

 am about to put to you, not that we doubt 

 your word, but in order to afford the prisoner 

 every chance of proving his innocence. Pray, 

 at what time on Wednesday morning did you 

 make this discovery ? " 



" About half-past seven." 



" What sort of weather had there been the 

 previous night ? " 



" It rained very heavily when I went to bed 

 Q 



