When
they came up to him, Edward saluted the intendant in a respectful
manner, and shook hands with Oswald, and then led the way by the
narrow path which led through the wood to the cottage. The intendant
was on horseback, but all the rest were on foot.
The intendant left his horse to the care of one of the verderers, and
went through the wood on foot with the rest of the party, preceded by
Edward. He appeared to be very grave and thoughtful, and Edward
thought that there was a coolness in his manner toward himself--for it
must be recollected that Mr. Heatherstone had not seen Edward since he
had rendered him such service in saving the life of his daughter. The
consequence was that Edward felt somewhat indignant; but he did not
express his feelings, by his looks even, but conveyed the party in
silence to the cottage. On their arrival, Edward pointed to the body
of the robber, which had been covered with fern, and the verderers
exposed it.
"By whose hand did that man fall?" said the intendant.
"By the hand of the party who lived in the cottage."
Edward then led the way round to the back of the cottage where the
other robber lay--
"And this man was slain by my hand," replied Edward.
"We have one more body to see," continued Edward, leading the way into
the cottage, and uncovering the corpse of Clara's father.
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