The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 171: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

\ 154 REYNOLDS’ WORKS ‘“ Besides,’ continued the butler, ‘‘ there are instances where police officers are so uncommon sharp that the slight- est clue puts them on the right scent, and a new link in a chain serves as a guide to the detection of the guilty ones.” ‘“Yes,’’ said the peasant, “ | am determined to go to some justice of the peace, and tell him what I have found. It can do no harm if it does no good. Besides it would seem as if the thing sat heavy on my conscience, if I didn’t do so. Let me see — who’s the nearest justice, Mr. Denison or Mr. Hawkshaw? By the bye, I have got a call to make in the direction of Hawkshaw Hall and so I’ll go straight off there at once.”’ An expression of trouble, which she could not possibly subdue, passed over the features of Lady Saxondale, as the labouring man thus spoke. The servants all heheld that look on the part of their mistress, but they every one at- tributed it to a feeling of mingled annoyance and shame at the mention of the name Hawkshaw, which they naturally supposed must vividly bring back to her mind the dread exposure of that day when the intended twofold wedding was interrupted and cut short. Edmund likewise observed that look, and it strengthened the dark suspicion which had already arisen in his mind; while Adelaide, more prompt to jump at an extreme conclusion, felt her own suspicion fully confirmed. “Well, my good fellow,” said Lord Saxondale, thinking it better to put a stop to this matter, if possible, ‘‘ I don’t know that you need trouble Squire Hawkshaw. Just leave the dress here, and I’ll deliberate what is to be done with it.’’ ‘‘ Bee your lordship’s pardon,” replied the peasant, “‘ but this is a matter for a justice to sift. I should have gone straight off with it at once, only just as I dragged it out of the river, the steward was passing along, and as we got talking on the subject, I came as far as the castle. No offence, my lord, for not taking your lordship’s advice, but where murder has been done, no good ever comes of keeping a thing in one’s own hands, and I sha’n’t feel easy in my mind till I have delivered this dress up to a justice.” “Well, my good man, have you own way,” interrupted Lady Saxondale. ‘“ I see that you are very wet. You have been in the water. Go to the servants’ hall, and get some refreshments before you set out on your walk.”’ CONNIE DOO KS (E(0)