# Tales for the Farmers' Ingle-neuk (1826, Dunfermline)/The Murderer Discovered

TALES.
THE MURDER DISCOVERED.
I accompanied the gentlemen into the garden, and was shewn the place where her own father found his murdered daughter. The grass was red with blood, and the marks of feet were quite visible on the ground, which happened to be soft and wet. In endeavouring to trace the footsteps, we observed that they led over some ground which had been newly dug with the spade, and that they had made a remarkable distinct impression on the loose soil. On examining that impression, we saw that there was something particular in the form of the shoe. It was uncommonly broad and large, and round-toed, and, from its shape, gave reason to suspect that its wearer was what is called flat-soled. ​It had also been lately pieced at the heel and toe, and armed with broad-headed taks, the prints of which were distinctly marked. This was an important discovery, and Mr Johnson, who was accustomed to use his pencil, set himself, with the assistance of the surgeon, to take a correct measurment and drawing of it on paper. In the mean time, Mr Thomson and I continued the search, and having traced the footsteps to the garden wall, the good minister, who happened to be before me, uttered an exclamation of horror, and directed my attention to a stone on the top of the wall which was stained with blood. On looking more minutely, we saw the marks of bloody fingers on the stone, and concluded that the murderer had made his retreat out of the garden at this place. A plowed field on the other side of the wall favoured our further search, and we tracked the villain to a small piece of water where he had probably washed his hands, and through which he appeared to have waded as the prints of feet were seen on the opposite bank. I threw off my shoes and stockings, and followed the course we supposed the murderer had taken as accurately as I could; but as the ground on the other side was covered with natural wood, I could trace him no further. On my return, I observed ​something bright at the bottom of the water, which I took up, and found to be a huge clasp-knife with the letters R. S. scratched rudely on the handle. I shuddered to think that with this very instrument the fatal deed was probably committed, and we were confirmed in this opinion by discovering marks of blood on the handle, which the water had not wholly washed away.
When the ceremony of interment was over and before any person began to retire Mr Thomson, standing on a grave-stone informed the company, that it was the wish of the sheriff that no person should be permitted to leave the church-yard till an examination had taken place, which might serve to throw some light on this dark and horrid business. 'Huzza!' cried Robert Stewart; 'that's right! I'll guard the yett and let none out.' 'You are saved that trouble, young man,' replied Mr Thomson 'for there are constables already posted at the gate, and none need attempt to make their escape. I must request every person,' continued he, 'to sit down on the grass in the vacant space at the north side of the church, arranged as nearly in rows as possible. That you may not think this request unnecessary, I will explain to you the reason of it. The murderer, whoever he was, left ​the impression of his shoe on some new dug ground near the spot where the crime was committed. An accurate drawing of the form and dimensions of that impression has been taken by my friend Mr Johnson, and is now in my hand. Our intention is to examine the feet of all who are present, and compare their shoes with this draught, in hopes that this measure may tend to detect the guilty person.' My eyes were steadily fixed on Robert Stewart during this speech, and I observed his face turn pale and red by turns. The marks of guilt were visible, I thought, on his countenance; but when Mr Thomson ceased speaking, he had recovered himself sufficiently to exclaim, 'What good 'ill that do! D'ye think the man that killed the lass wad ha'e the face to come here? or, if he was here, how could you find him out by the sted o' his foot? A hunder folk may ha'e shoon o' the same size, and if made by ae shoemaker, they may be o' the same shape too. It may mak' innocent folk suspected, and will do mair ill than good; sae for my part I winna consent till't. Come, let us be off lads.' As he spoke, he pulled some of his companions by the arm, and turned towards the gate with the intention of making his escape. 'The first man that leaves the church-yard before he is examined,' cried ​Mr Johnson from among the crowd, 'will be taken up as a suspected person, and committed to jail. I have the authority of the sheriff for saying so.' A murmur of approbation succeeded his speech, and Stewart turned back intimidated, and seated himself on a grave-stone at a little distance, folding his arms across his breast, and kicking his heels against one of the feet of the stone, in order to appear very much at his ease. As soon as silence was obtained, Mr Thomson, in a few simple words, refuted Stewart's objections, and at the same time held up to public view Mr Johnson's drawing of the footstep, to convince the people that there was something so remarkably peculiar in its shape, there could be little doubt of finding out the person to whom it belonged by the means proposed. Every one seemed now eager to have his shoes examined, and hastened to set himself on the grass. Two shoemakers were employed to take the measurement, and Mr Johnson accompanied them with the drawing in his hand. Stewart had placed himself in the middle of the crowd, and I saw him make one or two unsuccessful attempts to shift his seat, so as to escape examination. When at last his turn came, his colour suddenly changed to a deadly pale, and with a horrid groan ​he fell senseless on the ground. He was restored by the application of some water which was quickly procured, and, looking wildly round him, he exclaimed, 'You cannot say that I did it! It was dark—who saw me?' 'God Almighty saw you, unhappy young man!' said Mr Johnson in a tone which thrilled through my heart; for he had now taken the dimensions of Stewart's shoe, and found it corresponded in every particular to the copy he had drawn. The murderer, for I had now no doubt that this was he, having recovered his strength, started up on his feet, and, drawing a sharp pointed knife from his pocket, threatened to stab to the heart the first man that laid hands on him. He then made a desperate spring, and before any person had sufficient presence of mind to prevent him, reached the church-yard wall, which he cleared without difficulty, but losing his balance when he reached the other side, he stumbled forward, and fell on the point of his knife. He was now overtaken and secured, and as he was losing much blood, he was conveyed to the manse, which happened to be the nearest house; the surgeon, who was present, attending him for the purpose of dressing his wound. The knife had entered the bowels, and made a dangerous wound, which the ​surgeon immediately pronounced likely to prove mortal. The unfortunate wretch overheard the opinion of the surgeon, and cried out with a savage joy, which filled every person present with horror, 'Then I'll disappoint the law yet. If I could nay mak my escape in ae way. I'll do it in another. Sleep, sleep, they say, it's a sleep.' 'Alas! young man,' said Mr Thomson, shuddering as he spoke, 'in that sleep there are awful dreams to the wicked. Dreams do I say? they are horrible realities. God grant that you may not find—' 'It's a lie!' interrupted he with a dreadful oath, 'I'll not believe it—sae ye need na preach to me.' Mr Thomson, finding he could do no good by continuing the conversation, left the room; and it was not long after this he learned, that the wretched murderer died still hardened and impenitent.