"You liar! The bill was in the book when Jenner came to this house, and if you had stolen it, the bill would have remained there. Jenner did not leave the house again; he died here."
Job scratched his head; he was puzzled. "Well, I thought it was Jenner, rye; if it wasn't him, then who was it?"
"Marshall--you attacked Marshall on that night. Oh, I know! You tore his cuff and stole his sleeve-links; and one was found under this very window. You dropped it there, you murderer!"
"I ain't a murderer, I tell you," growled the man, getting angry. "I did try to get some tin out of that Marshall cove; but that was afore I met Mrs. Marshall. I was sleeping behind a hedge, and I heard Marshall and Jenner jawing; I listened, and heard all. When they parted I thought I'd drop on Marshall, rye, and get some money. I was poor and he was rich. He put out his arms to fight, and I did grab his wrist; but I didn't steal his links, I swear! Then I heard someone coming, and I ran away, while he went home. I came back to the Waggoner's Pond and then followed the lady. I knew she was hiding not far from me in the hedge."
"How could you tell that, in the mist and darkness?"
"I've eyes like a cat, and can see through stones," said Job, in a sulky tone. "Black don't make no difference to me. I knew her, I tell you rye and thought she go after Jenner and get that bill for Marshall's sake."
"Why for Marshall's sake?" asked Mr. Cass, coldly.
"'Cause I heard she was going to be his rani--marry him, as you Gentiles call it. I went after her, and caught her up. I offered to do the job for money. She said she'd give me lots if I got her the pocket-book. I said I'd give it her next day. Then I came to this house where we are now and waited in the hedge on the other side of the road. I saw the winder was open, but nothing more. There was a cry and a yell, and a cove comes dashing down the road, I after him and caught him up, though he run like the wind. I fell on him, and I said: 'Give us the red pocket-book!' He fought, but said nothing. I thought he was Jenner."
"Oh, but you could see in the dark!" remarked Mr. Cass, sarcastically.
"What did that matter?" Job said, surlily. "I didn't know Jenner when I saw him; he was a stranger to me."