They couldn’t touch him, do what they might, for, although his clothes were tattered, he escaped with a whole skin, much to his delight.
Several days after the stirring events we have just narrated, the wounded men were all provided for, and the dead buried.
This strange visit of the Skeleton Crew to Darlington, and the frightful scenes in the old immense servants’ hall was the talk of the country far and wide.
It filled every one with amazement, and people began to think that, perhaps, after all, the mysterious murder of Farmer Bertram might be traced to the same source, particularly since poor Bob, the farmer’s son, protested his innocence so loudly and boldly.
But appearances were strongly against the farmer’s son.
His own thick walking-stick was found beside the murdered man.
The old farmer’s purse, one he had but a week before bought in the village, was found in the pocket of his accused son.
These evidences of guilt were too strong to allow of any doubt but that the unhappy son had, in a moment of anger and revenge, murdered his own father.
There was one, however, who did believe in poor Bob’s innocence.