Mary the servant had much the same story to relate as her mistress.
"'I think it was 'im, right enough,' said Mary guardedly.

'I didn't see 'im, but I went up to 'is landing and stopped a moment outside 'is door.
I could 'ear loud voices in the room--gentlemen talking.' "'I suppose you would not do such a thing as to listen, Mary ?' queried Mr.Pepys with a smile.
"'No, sir,' said Mary with a bland smile, 'I didn't catch what the gentlemen said, but one of them spoke so loud I thought they must be quarrelling.' "'Mr.Skinner was the only person in possession of a latch-key, I presume.

No one else could have come in without ringing at the door ?' "'Oh no, sir.' "That was all.

So far, you see, the case was progressing splendidly for the Crown against the prisoner.

The contention, of course, was that Skinner had met Mr.Morton, brought him home with him, assaulted, drugged, then gagged and bound him, and finally robbed him of whatever money he had in his possession, which, according to certain affidavits which presently would be placed before the magistrate, amounted to L10,000 in notes.
"But in all this there still remained the great element of mystery for which the public and the magistrate would demand an explanation: namely, what were the relationships between Mr.Morton and Skinner, which had induced the former to refuse the prosecution of the man who had not only robbed him, but had so nearly succeeded in leaving him to die a terrible and lingering death?
"Mr.Morton was too ill as yet to appear in person.