Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1902-01-16
CHAPTER x.-(continued.l

Or what she thinks we ought TO DO.
| propose we go the abbey and find
out what has frightened her"
"'It wor murder she said" re-
marked one of the slowest and most
deliberate Of the natives. land that
was one of the murderer's hat"
"Aye!" said the others.
And Joseph Morley, he says
straight out, says he, that Is Gentle
man Parker's hat, and we know who
he be. If he's up and killed the black
looking chap as he come wi first to
the Star and Garter, why, | for one
shan't profess to be sorry"
Nor me If it weren't felony" said
Morley. "But mayhap that would
clear the road for Jack; and I'd pre-
fer him to follow me at the Star and
Garter, with Mary for his missus, than
see her married to the starchiest no.
bleman that ever wore a coronet and
robe of ermine."
Morley is a trifle flowery," said
Taylor to Wilson; and as he delivered
himself of this declaration, he went
into the inner room and left the COM
pany with their surmises and their
varied suggestions of what it should
be their duty to do under the circum-
stances.
While they were discussing the sub
ject over the last of the second bowl
Of punch the storm rose in fury. For
moment 1t seemed as If the wind
had driven in the door; but 1t was not
the wind only that came banging into
the hall and then into the room. but
Squire Bellingham's groom.
Before any one could question him,
he said in slow, numbering fashion:
II was takin' sup at Hark-to-R Rover
on the way hum, for expected Squire
in hauf an hour. and l was a-ridin'
ovid mare in from farm, when we
hearn such hammerin' on t'road as
you'd a thowt devil hissen was ridin'
race, and we goes to door, and there
in tmoonleet seed 'Squire's own nag
come tearin' o weet its main Almost
on end, its mouth open, its eyes like
Goals o fire! And | out into road, and
says. so no! So no, William!' as its
naame he knows hissen by; and he
pulls up straight and stands a-trem-
blin' as If he'd seen ghost! And l
says as If he could answer me, says I:
Where's the 'Squire?' and then ovid
man at Hark-to-Rover, he brings out
a lantern, and there was blood on T.
saddle, and thowt mayhap T. con-
stable might be here and may be he'd
like to go wi me down t'Harrogate
Road to see what's up-for summat's
up, that's sartin, and summat awful If
| knows owt of William"
THE constable Is not here" said
Taylor. but we will go with you, some
OF us, and see what can be done"
Thank you kindly" said the groom
tapping on the counter.
Tom answered the summons with
the remark: 81 reckon missus is bit
out o. sorts. and gunner, too What
might it be, James?"
"a glass o. rum, hot said James.
81 reckon mayhap bit o Dutch cour-
age mebbe useful, If we're to seek
Squire down by t. abbey; for | mex
out o. William that he hadna' come
far at that pace, seem as weren't in
no sweat; and allus towd Squire as
hated that bend l. the road, by plan
tation, where they said murder was
done doant knaw how many years
agone; and they do say as that's where
they gibbeted t. malefactor, though II
nun been long afore my time. Here's
looking towards you, gentlemen"
Both Tom and the company watched
the gnarled, sturdy, slow old groom as
he told his story, drank his rum and
then invited them as nd loike the
job" to come and see what was up.
Wilson and the rest followed the
Squire's man; all except Tom and Mr..
Taylor
Tom stood silently behind the bar
Mary was sitting by her uncle's side,
pale, troubled, fearless, but suffering
great mental agony.
Jack Meadows was on his feet,
watching the girl and listening to old
Morley with acute interest.
Taylor paused as he closed the door.
Il am an old friend" he said, can
be of any service to you, neighbor
Morley, or to Miss LOCKWOOD"
81 was just telling her." said Morley
in his piping tones; 81 was saying it
will be OF no avail to try and hide
anything from justice. If murder has
been done, and she holds the clue, It
is her bounden duty, even If l was the
culprit. or whoever the culprit might
be. to give him up"
you don't know what you say"
Al
questions tonight"
Morley stepped aside to speak conf
dentially TO Taylor.
AS he did so Mary whispered to
Jack, 81 will go to my room. When
all is quiet, and uncle is AIDED, meet
me under the balcony on the bowling
green. You can do me a great SER
vice" Then turning toward her uncle
and his friend, she babe them good
night, said she was tired, and what
ever more she might have to say she
would say in the morning.
The storm was over. A few of the
last clouds of the night were rushing
away to the north. A bright diamond
like star shone In sweet companion
ship with the moon.
Jack Meadows stationed himself be-
meath the balcony. but he could not
prevent his shadow from falling
athwart the footpath, where Tom
Sheffield saw it. and watched 1t as in
duty bound Presently he saw anoth-
er shadow upon the white path. and
heard Mary speak to her companion.
Tom lay prone upon the balcony above
them.