The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-06-13

/ could nae lie in my bed if thought I'd
twined the rope round his neck-him
ha' known sa lang
"NIr. Biddulph," !" continued Sandy, grow
ing quite excited with his narrative, Il
have repeated word for word what he
spoke, but need not go on with all they
said. They got their supper out OF the
cauldron over the fire-a fat rabbit-and
the stone jar of whisky from the cupboard,
and hadn't they a set-to, and the old dame,
who could not hear a single word, along
with them! And Tam agreed to keep the
young laird's secret as well as Rob; for
Rob reminded him he had made solemn
promise to do so, and that he would never
have told his brother, except that Tam had
heard Rob rambling on in his sleep about
the poor lady's dying shrieks, and had laid
one thing to the other, and had thus found
it out"
"And what else did they say?" asked
Biddulph, who was very pale, as Sandy
paused for breath.
"a deal, sir, and my very blood ran
cold to hear him. Rob said that he and
the young laird were on the high hills
above the Glen of Balla, when they espied
your boat crossing the loch through young
Mr.. Malcolm's field-glass. They were re-
turning from the deer forest at the head
of the loch, and had sat down to drink
some whisky from their TASKS, when they
saw you, and Rob said Mr.. Malcolms face
grew black as night at the sight. Rob
was carrying the young laird's rifle, and
they had not had chance of shot at the
deer all day, and the rifle was loaded;
and as Mr.. Malcolm watched you
through the glass land at Balla and enter
the Glen, the very devil himself, Robsaid,
seemed to get hold of the young laird, and
his face grew just awful to behold. Then
he snatched the rife out OF Bob's hand,
and swore he would have a shot at you;
and Rob went down on his knees and
prayed him for the Lords sake to let you
alone. But he swore he would, and he
ran down the hill with his rifle in his
hand, and stood among some brentwood;
but Bob stopped where be was and turned
his back, and wouldn't look, as he did not
wish to see his young master commit
murder
''Well, sir,' continued Sandy, his very
hair apparently standing on end with
horror. and his round eyes dilating, for
Sandy hated the very name of firearms,
the next minute Rob heard the rifie-shot
and the lady awful screams. He'll never
forget them, he said, to his dying day
and as he stood terrified, young Mr.. NAL
colin ran back to him, with the rifle in his
hand, and murder in his eyes I've shot
them BOTH he said; and he called you
and the lady, sir, such i'll names, / could
not take upon myself to repeat them in
your presence. But he gave the rifle back
to Rob, and they crept together out OF the
Glen, through the high hills, and back to
the head of the loch; and Rob swOre to
the young laird that he would never be-
tray him. So that's my story, Mr.. Bid
dulph," added Sandy, drawing out his red
silk handkerchief and mOpping his face;
'and think you'll agree with me, have
laid such information before YOU that |
am entitled to the offered reward in full"
81 quite agree with you, Mr.. Hill"
answered Mr.. Biddulph. And then he
rose from his chair and began walking
slowly up and down the room, with his
eyes cast upon the floor. OF what was he
thinking? First a sort of stern triumph
filled his heart, that his cruel deed had
been brought home to the headstrOng
youth who had twice attacked him, and
his own feet had become entangled in the
snare he had spread for Biddulph. But
suddenly, Sandy furtively watching him,
saw his expression change. Biddulph
stopped, bit his under lip, and then looked
quickly at Sandy. A swift thought had
darted into his mind-a most painful
thought, for Biddulph had remembered
Mrs. Fraser, and the mothers fond, al
most passionate love for her only son.
How often had he seen her eyes soften
as she looked on her boys face and this
blow, he knew, would be most terrible to
her. Again Biddulph resumed his slow
pacines to and fro; he was trying TO think
what it would be best to do, how he could
temper Justice with mercy" in the try
ing position in which he found himself.
'And when do you propose, Mr.. Hill"
he said at length, addressing Sandy, ''to
lay the information you have acquired be-
fore the police?"
'First thing in the morning SIR" ans
wered Sandy briskly. 81 prepared the
whole statement before i came here this
evening, as | did not wish to come until
the dusk, as one never can tell who is
watching one. I think / shall be justified
also, SIR" he added, clearing his throat,
''in applying for the G20O offered by the
sheriff"
you will become quite rich, Mr.. HILL"
said Biddulph, little grimly.
81 shall make a good use of the capital
i have acquired, hope, MIR. Biddulph. 1
propose, sir, TO start in business on my
own account at once; and l am sure, Mr..
Biddulph, If you would care to entrust me
with any commission you will find me
strictly honorable and honest, sir-the
last penny accounted for, after fair per
cent. has, of course, been deducted"
81 shall not forget your obliging offer.
And about this thousand pounds-when
do you want it?"
Sandy's face fell.
az understood" he said after few mo-
ments. pause, THAT it was to be paid
down."
Immediately upon the information
having been given to the police, eh ?"
THAT was what understood, sir"
"Well, come here tomorrow morning.
Let me see-say about 10 o'clock, before
you have been to the police. want 10 60
over the whole thing myself before you
apply TO them, so that there is no screw
loose. Don't mention this TO a soul until
/ have seen you again; and If you come
here, as / said, tomorrow at II, shall
have your check for Gl 900 ready for you
but only, remember, on the condition that
you have not gone first to the police"
"Of course / shall do exactly as you
wish, Mr. Biddulph," said Sandy, opening
his round eyes wider, and rubbing his
hands together. He was too sharp not TO
perceive that Biddulph had some motive
Tor deferring the time OF laying the infor-
nation before the police but, of course,
Mr. Biddulph must be responsible for the
consequence of this.
There is only one thing, sir" he
added, determined 10 make this point
II L. IL. Il. \ 4