Guidebook for the Dark Duke

-handed.

“You still have to be careful.
There is no direct evidence.” Evan said bitterly.

Sheriff Chandler was determined to win the debate, “Reverend Bruce, even you can’t refute the evidence this time.
As long as she has these things, she can’t deny it in front of the judge.”

The rules of this era’s justice system are not as strict as the rules of the later eras.
At this time, as long as there is circumstantial evidence, one can be sent to the gallows*.

Evan frowned but Sheriff Chandler was still very excited, “I think I have to go and talk to the servants of the Lawrence family, to find out about the relationship between Mrs Lawrence and John.”

Evan sent off Sheriff Chandler, who had a triumphant look on his face, with a complicated look.
Could the murderer really be Mrs Lawrence? The image of the thin but hot-tempered woman flashed through his mind.
If it is true that such a person could kill, then Mrs Lawrence is very impressive.

Worried, Evan walked back into the church.
For the first time, he devoutly knelt in front of the statue of Jesus and prayed with his hands folded.
In the morning, he had given the residents of Delanlier a moment of tranquility and now, he also needs that tranquility.

************

Sheriff Chandler went to Woolwich Manor with great satisfaction.
It was time for the servants to prepare dinner when he got there.
Mrs Lawrence was even more indifferent to Sheriff Chandler and didn’t cooperate at all.

“If you need to ask anything, just go and ask.
It’s just that the servants are working now so you’d better hurry up.” Mockingly, Mrs Lawrence gave the sheriff a look of schadenfreude**.

Sheriff Chandler was very annoyed that Mr Lawrence was away from home today, so he could only face Mrs Lawrence directly.

“Then, Madam, please forgive my intrusion.” Sheriff Chandler also felt impatient to deal with Mrs Lawrence.
In his heart, he had already identified Mrs Lawrence as guilty, so he unceremoniously called Mrs Lawrence’s maid out.

Seeing Sheriff Chandler’s rude look, Mrs Lawrence turned pale with anger but she didn’t say a word.

Laura, Mrs Lawrence’s maid, looked at Sheriff Chandler timidly, twisting the corners of her skirt with her hands.

Sheriff Chandler stared at Laura with eagle-like eyes and said sternly, “Whatever I ask you now, you must tell me the truth.
If I find out that there is a lie, I will arrest you immediately.
And if you go to prison, you will never be able to get out.”

“Yes….sir,” Laura answered as she trembled, “I will not tell a lie, please don’t arrest me.
Sheriff, I will not tell a lie, I will tell you the truth.”

Sheriff Chandler nodded with satisfaction, such intimidation was a common thing for him to do and he felt no burden at all.

“I ask you, how was the relationship between Mrs Lawrence and John?”

“Mrs and the young master?” Laura looked puzzled.

“Yes! What’s the relationship like between them?” Sheriff Chandler’s eyes were burning.

“The relationship between the lady and the young master was very good.
The lady loves master John very much.” Laura said with some hesitation.

Her hesitation did not escape Sheriff Chandler’s eyes, “What else are you hiding? Say it!”

Laura shook, “I….I really don’t know….” She waved her hands in a panic.

Seeing her like this, Sheriff Chandler lit up and he pressured her, “Laura, you’d better not lie to me.
Your father owes so much in gambling debts so you tell me, what should I do with him?” (That’s low, bro)

Panicked, Laura’s eyes were filled with tears, “Oh, Sheriff, please don’t do anything to my father, he…he…”

“Then tell me the truth!” Sheriff Chandler didn’t let up.

Laura sobbed deeply, “Oh, I can’t….I’m going to lose my job…”

This time, Sheriff Chandler started persuading her gently, “Oh, good girl, you don’t need to be afraid about this matter.
Don’t worry, I will be the only one to know about this.
I won’t tell anyone about what you said, don’t worry.”

Laura continued sobbing and Sheriff Chandler started feeling impatient.
He took out a handkerchief from his pocket, handed it to her and spoke in a low voice, “Okay, wipe your tears, you can leave when you’re done.”

Laura took the handkerchief and blew her nose loudly.
Sheriff Chandler frowned.

“I…I saw it before.” She looked at the sheriff timidly, “I saw Mrs Lawrence quarrelling with master John, and she beat master John….
I know this.
Sheriff, please don’t embarrass my father.”

Sheriff Chandler almost jumped up with excitement, “Really? When did it happen? Why?”

Laura didn’t understand the reason for the sheriff’s excitement, “Yes…it was a few days ago but I don’t know why.
But Mrs Lawrence was very angry and she said that she would cut ties with master John..”

1 *A gallows is a frame, typically wooden, used for execution by hanging.
2 **Schadenfreude : pleasure derived by someone from another person’s misfortune.

1 *A gallows is a frame, typically wooden, used for execution by hanging.2 **Schadenfreude : pleasure derived by someone from another person’s misfortune.