The St. Johns herald., 1896-09-19

qu1ry that he had not seen ms mdSuer since the morning of the previous day. l got from the boy the place of his masters residence, and though in the chance of finding him there l might have hesitated as to the propriety of direct call, what 1 resolved was to see his wife in his (by mel supposed absence
 Angus, I found, lived at the corner of tho turn which the Cowgate makes into the Grassmarket, and thither bent my steps. Nor was it many minutes be- fore l was in the presence of Mrs. Angus Macgillivray, but what was my won dcrment to find this woman in very nuch the same condition as that ln which I found the wife of the deacon l Her husband had left the house the pre- vious day after breakfast without say i ing word that he was to be otherwise engaged than at his stall, and as it was his invariable habit to tell her when he was to go to the country (which he often did) for cattle she could not account for his absence in any way.
 So far there was difference between the conditions of the sisters-in-law that Mrs Angus Macgillivray did not enter tain any apprehension that any violence had overtaken her husband, yet it was clear enough, even from the suspicious eye she cast upon me while making the inquiries, that she was not free from the fear of some untoward accident. She even questioned me as to my motive for calling, as if she thought had some thing to tell and was afraid to tell it, and had some difficulty in satisfying her that my object was not in any way connected with the circumstances of his disappearance. At all hazards, it was my especial care to avoid any reference to the deacon, and especially his ab- sence, for as she doubtless knew that the enmity was all on one side-that of her husband-she might have drawn, with very different feelings the same conclusion at which her sister-in-law had arrived.
 Having left this woman also in very unhappy condition, I stepped to the bailies' office and inquired there wheth- CT any search had been made by any of the officers or constables, but here again I was met by the remark that two days absence did not form even ground for such fear of any occurrence either disastrous or fatal as would au- thorize any search by the authorities of the city. had my reason for a differ ent conclusion, but was necessarily re- strained from telling my story by fear of throwing suspicion upon a man vim dictive enough to take revenge upon me
 On going toward Borthwick's Close, with the intention of again seeing the deaconess-for so these great dignitaries were sometimes called at that time when corporations were a species of do- niinions or powers-I met Andrew Cir van, her brother, Q currier. who lived in Niddry's Wynd A sensible man, not prone to fancies, he took very differ ent view.
 ''I have been everywhere l could think of, '" said he, "but I can find no trace.
 Everywhere but the house of his brother" said I, fixing my eyes on him.
 ''The house of his brotherP' rejoined he What on earth would take me there, the place of all others he would avoid?'
 "Very true, but what would you think were you to find that Angus is also missing, having left his house about tho same timer" said I, with view to sound him, and thereby test my own sus- picions
 ''Think" replied he "Why, was not present at Glennie's tavern that night when the villain drew his knife against his own brother, and I hurried the dea- con away, and was it not who recOm- mended the lawborrows? Think Why, if were to find it true that Angus Mac gillivray was away, would conclude at the instant that he had repaid the lawborrows by secret stab "
 "Yes, but there are difficulties, said 1, with that straining for evidence of conviction which is so natural to us. Where could such stab have been given in broad day, and it must have been in the forenoon, seeing the deacon did not come home to dinner? Then any secret den or out of the way place is scarcely to be thought of, insomuch as the deacon could not have been wiled there by one whom he feared.
 Nothing in all that" replied he, flor we all know that the deacon's busi- ness led him down dark closes and out of the way places, where there are dens for all customers, dead or alive. And besides he was so simple and generous . man that if Angus had met him and proffered the open hand of reconcilia- tion, he might have led him anywhere. "
 We'll" said I, getting more conf dent, "I may tell you, as his brother in-law, that I have ascertained from Angus wife herself that he too, has been missing for the same time.
 "Then by all that is good, ," cried he as his eye flashed from the suddenness of the impression upon the ear of these words, "the mystery is all but cleared up. The villain has murdered his own brother and run to the country"
 Nor was I much astonished at this ejaculation, for the original suspicion had gradually been becoming convic- tion with me, and my mind was almost eager to have any remaining doubts re- moved
 "But," said I, ,"what is to be done?"
 "Go to the city authorities, Y" replied he on the instant, "and get them to is- sue a warrant for the apprehension of Angus Macgillivray.
 ''I have been at the bailies' ofice," said I, land found that the officers there