, 1858-04-16

thing was sure-that the head had been thrown
in at night for it had rested in shoal water, with
two bricks tied to it; whereas, had it been thrown
in by daylight the villain would have selected a
deeper spot The coroner suggested that the
murderer had kept on BY the great stage-road
through Essex, but felt differently. believed
he had struck across towards Waltham Abbey,
and upon this suppOsitiOn determined to act.
My first movement after this was to obtain a
suit oErlaboring mems clothes, which my host
procured Of a fellow who was at work in drain
in his garden. They were well worn, and when
got them on, looked as rough as could wish.
l then made snug bundle Of my own garments,
which tied up in an old cotton handkerchief,
and, having swung It upon stout oaken staff,
placed it over my shoulder and started of upon
the Waltham Abbey road
If the murderer had done his horrible work in
the metropolis by dark, and then come around by
the way Of Epping. he could not have reached the
next town by daylight made some guarded
inquiries at the houses passed, but gained no
information till reached Waltham Abbey; and
even here could only learn that man had passed
through there on foot, just before daylight two
days previously. Only one person 0he ehOstler Of
an inn) had seen him, and he could giveme mott the
slightest description not even the travellers hight
The road by which had come led no further,
ending here in the great northern and eastern mail
road to Scotland; and as did not think the muir
derer would take such a route, pushed on by
narrow path, through fields and woods q distance
Of eight miles, to Hatfield. tlacked half an hour
Of noon, SO thought would stop here and get
dinner. I felt certain that was on the track Of
the man sought. Ny meal would be ready in
twenty minutes, sol sat down by the window and
gaEed out The walls had been raised above the
secOnd-story windows, and half dozen men were
engaged in carrying up bricks and mortar for the
masons. Noticed one man who often got in the
way of the others, and whose movements were
strange and erratic Moo else might have seen
this as did, but he arrested my attention in a
moment, Said =
"7Rers 10 my man ~
A summary method Of detecting murderer,
you viii say, but it was all plair to me. He was
a middle-sized man, Of middle age, and dressed
in the common garb Of such laborers, but his
clothes did not fit him. When he set his bod
down to have it fllled, he did it with nervous
jerk; and when he started off with the load upon
his shoulder be not only moved away too quickly,
but assembled the ladder with q speed entirely
unsuited to the work. NOhod-carrier ever moved
before. They are not prOyerbial for hurrying.
And then there was no need for this mans NOV
ing so, since lis very haste often impeded his
companions. / simply saw that he was not at
home, either in his work or hsgarb; and, further
more, that his mind was far from being at ease.
had only ono thing more to notice ere l took
step nearer to him, and ! was not long in doing
that Soon carriage stopped at the inn, and as
the sound fell upon his ears he became 50 excited
that he could hardly hold up his hOd, which was
at that time being filled And so It was when
ever any one passed the square, at tevery unusual
sound he betrayed an uneasiness which was as
apparent to me as though could have seen his
very thoughts. waited to see no more, but,
having thrown my bundle over my shoulder, and
seen that the dirt bad not been rubbed from my
hands, started out chose not to speak with
"my man" first, but asked one Of the others Il
l could find work on the building. ''
"what can ye doH" he asked me.
"Carry hOd or use the spade" saidI
He looked at me moment, and then said he'd
60 and find the "capt'n." While he was gone,
"my man" came down the ladder. He was a
very respectable looking fellow, though there was
wildness in his eye which somewhat detracted
from his appearance.
'"Do you find the work hard hereP" asked
him. He started as though had struck him.
"what do you want to know that fOrr" he
returned. ' !..' '" -.'.''' 2 Id
Because have Just sent to see Il I can OBJ
tain work here. A man has Just gone to see the
employer"
40, well-the work isn't very hard" he said,
considerably relieved. "But where are you
fromH"
"FrOm Epping," told him. He turned pale,
and his hand quivered upon his hod.
"And, by the way" added, carclessly, "I
saw horrible sight" waited for him TO ask
some question, but he only gazed into my face
with fixed stare, while his whole frane trem-
bled and his palOr increased.
at was in the pond" said ] at length. "AsI
was passing, saw human head in the water
It was cut of Ny soul, how terrible it WASH
The man started back, and his face assumed .
deathly look, while his hOd dropped from his hand
"YOulOOk at me as though I did IT," he gaSped.
! "Pooh, pooh" said !, with smile; and then,