"I don't wonder at that," replied the young man dryly; "the man was dumb."
"Dumb!" echoed the ladies.
"Didn't you know? Ah, well, perhaps not. I didn't know myself until the Rector told me last night. Yes, he was dumb--that was why the village called him the Quiet Gentleman. Oh, here is Joe!"
"Joe," said Sophy, going directly to the point, "have you heard about----"
"Yes, miss," said Joe, interrupting to save her mentioning so painful a subject, "I know, and if I find the swab as did it, I'll kill him."
Joe said this in a quietly savage way, which made Miss Vicky shudder.
"Have you any idea who carried off the body, Joe?"
"No, sir, I have not--but," added the man grimly, "I'm going to look for him."
The old maid shuddered again at the expression in his bloodshot eyes.
"'Vengeance is mine. I will repay, saith the Lord,'" she put in severely.