fore nine o'clock the facts, as they have been told, were known
everywhere, and the Squire was down on the spot. The man,--or, as it
was presumed, men,--had entered by the unaccustomed front door, which
was so contrived as to afford the easiest possible mode of getting
into the house; whereas, the back door, which was used by everybody,
had been bolted and barred with all care. The men must probably have
entered by the churchyard and the back gate of the farmyard, as that
had been found to be unlatched, whereas the gate leading out on to
the road had been found closed. The farmer himself had always been
very careful to close both these gates when he let out Bone'm before
going to bed. Poor Bone'm had been enticed to his death by a piece of
poisoned meat, thrown to him probably some considerable time before
the attack was made.

Who were the murderers? That of course was the first question. It
need hardly be said with how sad a heart Mr. Fenwick discussed this
matter with the Squire. Of course inquiry must be made of the manner
in which Sam Brattle had passed the night. Heavens! how would it be
with that poor family if he had been concerned in such an affair as
this! And then there came across the parson's mind a remembrance that
Agnes Pope and Sam Brattle had been seen by him together, on more
Sundays than one. In his anxiety, and with much imprudence, he went
to the girl and questioned her again.

"For your own sake, Agnes, tell me, are you sure you never mentioned
about the money-box to--Sam Brattle?"

The girl blushed and hesitated, and then said that she was quite sure
she never had. She didn't think she had ever said ten words to Sam
since she knew about the box.

"But five words would be sufficient, Agnes."

"Then them five words was never spoke, sir," said the girl. But still
she blushed, and the parson thought that her manner was not in her
favour.

It was necessary that the parson should attend to his church; but the
Squire, who was a magistrate, went down with the two constables to
the mill. There they found Sam and his father, with Mrs. Brattle and
Fanny. No one went to the church from the mill on that day. The news
had reached them of the murder, and they all felt,--though no one
of them had so said to any other,--that something might in some way
connect them with the deed that had been done. Sam had hardly spoken
since he had heard of Mr. Trumbull's death; though when he saw that
his father was perf