'I fear I have thrown a gloom over your happy family,' said Mr. Allen. 'It was not my intention to make the sad relation when I came among you; but I was led to it from the singular circumstance of my horse having gone off; for I have used him ten years, and never knew any thing of the sort to happen before. He knows all my parishioners' doors, I believe, as well as I do, and has never shown before, that he thought my visits to them too long.
I should have imagined that some mischievous fellow had taken him; but every body, even the smallest boy round this part of the country knows the animal, and I can't believe that there is one among them, would play me such a trick, and if any one had done so, I should not probably have found the horse returned quietly to the same spot in which I left him.'
'I must believe,' said Mr. Reed, 'that the horse was led away; and I would make inquiry about it.'
Will Gardiner could stand this no longer, but slipped out of the room, lest some questions should be asked.
'Did you pass Miss Bradfords' on your way to squire Brazer's, or did you take the other road, Frank?' said Mr. Reed.
'I passed that way,' answered Frank.
'Did you observe the horse and chaise, as you went?'
'Yes, it was at the gate.'
'And on your return?'