g on an outside-coat and hat, near the yard
gate; and then, with great caution, unbolt the wicket, constantly looking
back towards the house, and so let himself out. The boy was uneasy, and
sat in the hay, wide-awake, until morning. He then told the servants what
he had seen, and one of the men having raised the stone, which he had not
strength to lift, they found the dagger, which Smith had identified as
belonging to his master. This weapon was stained with blood; and some
hair, which was found to correspond in color with Sir Wynston's, was
sticking in the crevice between the blade and the handle.

"It appears very strange that one man should have employed two
distinct instruments of this kind," observed Mervyn, after a pause. A
silence followed.

"Yes, strange; it does seem strange," said Marston, clearing his voice.

"Yet, it is clear," said another of the jury, "that the same hand did
employ them. It is proved that the knife was in Merton's possession just
as he left his chamber; and proved, also, that the dagger was secreted by
him after he quitted the house."

"Yes," said Marston, with a grisly sort of smile, and glancing
sarcastically at Mervyn, while he addressed the last speaker--"I thank
you for recalling my attention to the facts. It certainly is not a very
pleasant suggestion, that there still remains within my household an
undetected murderer."

Mervyn ruminated for a time, and said he should wish to put a few more
questions to Smith and Carney. They were accordingly recalled, and
examined in great detail, with a view to ascertain whether any indication
of the presence of a second person having visited the chamber with Merton
was discoverable. Nothing, however, appeared, except that the valet
mentioned the noise and the exclamations which he had indistinctly heard.

"You did not mention that before, sir," said Marston, sharply.

"I did not think of it, sir," replied the man, "the gentlemen were asking
me so many questions; but I told you, sir, about it in the morning."

"Oh, ah--yes, yes--I believe you did," said Marston; "but you then said
that Sir Wynston often talked when he was alone; eh, sir?"

"Yes, sir, and so he used, which was the reason I did not go into the
room when I heard it," replied the man.

"How long afterwards was it when you saw Merton in your own room?"
asked Mervyn.

"I could not say, sir," answered Smith; "I was soon asleep, and can't say
how long I slept before he came."