"
"I will neither hide nor fly," said I, "for I am as guiltless of the
blood of these women as the child unborn."
"The country disna think sae, master; an' I can assure you that,
should evidence fail, you run a risk o' being torn limb frae limb.
They are bringing the corpse here, to gar ye touch them baith
afore witnesses, an' plenty o' witnesses there will be!"
"They shall not bring them here," cried I, shocked beyond
measure at the experiment about to be made. "Go, instantly and
debar them from entering my gate with their bloated and mangled
carcases!"
"The body of your own mother, sir!" said the fellow
emphatically. I was in terrible agitation; and, being driven to my
wits' end, I got up and strode furiously round and round the room.
Samuel wist not what to do, but I saw by his staring he deemed
me doubly guilty. A tap came to the chamber door: we both
started like guilty creatures; and as for Samuel, his hairs stood all
on end with alarm, so that, when I motioned to him, he could
scarcely advance to open the door. He did so at length, and who
should enter but my illustrious friend, manifestly in the utmost
state of alarm.
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