The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 381: what you’re looking at

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

5064 REYNOLDS’ WORKS night, therefore, he must have stolen forth from the castle — ”’ ‘ But how?” inquired Denison, experiencing a fearful and likewise bewildering interest in these explanations. “How?’’ echoed Hawkshaw. ‘ Was it not proven to us, a Short time after the very tragedy itself, that Staunton knew full well how to obtain secret ingress to the castle? That tree which grows up from the river’s bed, and the branches of which spread against the windows of the tapestry chamber — ”’ | ‘‘ Ah, and where his kerchief was discovered,’’ ejaculated Denison. ‘‘ Then you think that, on the fatal night of the murder, he must have stolen forth from his chamber, he must have passed out of the castle by that window.” ‘No doubt of it,’ rephed Hawkshaw. “It is equally clear that these were the garments which he wore on the occasion. He must have waded through the stream, under the castle wall. His clothes were therefore wet and muddy; they would have served as evidences, or at least would have engendered strange suspicions, if seen in that state by any of the domestics. Is it not therefore clear enough that, in order to cause all traces of his dread crime to disappear, on his return to the castle those garments were tied up in a bundle and were doubtless thrown from one of the windows overlooking the river? ‘The current has since carried the package higher up toward Gainsborough, notwithstandmg the weight of the stone placed inside for the purpose of sinking it. As for the pistol, you yourself, Denison, suggested a long while ago, when that masquerading-dress was brought to us, that the pistol should be searched for. I remember well the words you used at the time. You described the several influences under which a murderer throws away his weapon: first, that nothing criminatory may be found upon him, if suddenly stopped and searched; secondly, in the awtul feeling of horror which naturally succeeds the com- mission of a crime; and thirdly, on being alarmed by the sound of voices or footsteps. Now, we well know that Lord Kagledean and Mr. Deveril were upon the spot almost immediately after the shots were fired, and therefore it may have been under any one of those influences, or all combined, that the wretched assassin flung his weapon into the ‘Trent. In a word, there can be no doubt that this CONNIE DOO KS (E@) m