“Yes, of course.”
“Well, then, read this,” said Jack, pulling out of his pocket a printed proclamation, which he placed before the wondering eyes of Tom Bates. “You read it; there it is.”
| C. | R. | |
| ATTEMPTED | ATTEMPTED | |
| MURDER! | £300 REWARD! | MURDER! |
“Whereas an atrocious attempt at murder has been made upon the accepted suitor of one Ellen Harmer, the daughter of the miller at Darlington.
“And whereas, by a most miraculous chance, the body of the unfortunate youth, Andrew, was timely discovered in the river, and resuscitated.
“Therefore, the above reward of
“£300
“will be paid to any person or persons who shall give such information as shall lead to the discovery or apprehension of the offender or offenders.
“The unfortunate young man was severely wounded, and the shock has been so great that his reason is for the time being lost to him.
“The village authorities of Darlington, on the night of the attempted murder, noticed the arrival in the neighbourhood of a carriage and four.