"It ends at the river," said Mrs. Young, reflectively.
"Yes, where he came to wash his hands, after the deed was done," responded Mrs. Strain. "And what his visions and inward thoughts must have been at sech a moment I leave you, Mrs. Young, solemnly to consider."
Mrs. Young then returned homeward, after thanking her Timloesville friend for a "most impressive day."
"The outlines are too indistinct to be really of much use, Ruth," she said, as she removed her bonnet. "I believe it was so stated at the trial, wasn't it? But if I have eyes, they do not fit."
"Of course not, since it is the hand of another person," replied Anne. "But did you notice, or rather could you see, what the variations were?"
"A broader palm, I should say, and the fingers shorter. The only point, however, which I could make out with certainty was the thick cushion of flesh at the ends of the fingers; that seemed clear enough."
At sunset they went across the fields together to the point on the river-bank where the meadow trail ended.
"The river knows all," said Anne, looking wistfully at the smooth water.
"They think so too, for they've dragged it a number of times," responded Miss Lois. "All the boys in the neighborhood have been diving here ever since, I am told; they fancy the purse, watch, and rings are in the mud at the bottom. But they're safe enough in somebody's pocket, you may be sure."
"Miss Lois," said the girl, suddenly, "perhaps he went away in a boat!"