y fences with slovenly ease.

It soon appeared that Turrif knew no more than Trenholme where to find
Saul; his only method of seeking was to inquire at each house. It was
not, however, necessary to go into each house; the cart was only brought
sufficiently near upon the road for a lusty shout to reach the family
inside. The first house Trenholme hardly saw in the darkness; at one or
two others he had a good view of the interior through an open door or
window. From each door men and boys, sometimes women and children,
sallied forth eagerly into the cold night to see what was wanted, and to
each inquiry the phlegmatic Turrif repeated Trenholme's tale. Trenholme
would have given a good deal to be able fully to understand what was
said. There was much conversation. From each house one or two men joined
them, and in one case, from a squalid-looking doorway, a loud-speaking
and wilful girl came out and insisted on getting into the cart. She
talked to the men and shrieked loudly when any object, such as a barn or
a tree, loomed dimly at the side of the road. Two of the men brought a
lantern and walked behind. When they came to the house whose roof was
found to cover Saul, a party of eight entered to hear and pronounce upon
his explanation. Certainly, if Trenholme had had the management of the
business, he would not have proceeded in this fashion, but he had no
choice.

The carter had been drinking whisky--not much as yet, but enough to give
him a greater command of words than he ordinarily possessed. When he saw
Trenholme among the band who were inquiring for him, he manifested
distinct signs of terror, but not at his visitors; his ghastly glances
were at door and window, and he drew nearer to the company for
protection. It was plainly what they had to tell, not what they had to
demand, that excited him to trembling; the assembled neighbourhood
seemed to strike him in the light of a safeguard. When, however, he
found the incomers were inclined to accuse him of trick or knavery, he
spoke out bravely enough.

Old Cameron had died--they knew old Cameron?

Yes, the men assented to this knowledge.

And after he had been dead two days and one night, Mr. Bates--they knew
Mr. Bates?--

Assent again.

--Had put him in the coffin with his own hands and nailed down the lid.
He was quite dead--perfectly dead.

On hearing this the bold girl who had come with them shrieked again, and
two of the younger men took her aside, and, hol