“Yes, but look what he said ⁠—The Coroner asked him the same question⁠—when was it he had borrowed the sack⁠—before or after the young woman disappeared. Mr. Egerton said he really didn’t know, because he didn’t know when the young woman had disappeared.⁠ ⁠… As if we didn’t all know, the very next day.⁠ ⁠…”

“Pardon me,” said Mr. Dimple, “but I didn’t know myself, not till one day last week⁠—and I live two doors from the Byrnes⁠—”

“Yes, but you’re a man ,” said Mrs. Vincent, with a large contempt.