As Barnabas stood there, considering the sight before him, Captain Mulgrave, who had not uttered a word, turned quickly, and was about to climb over the stone wall to the right, on his way back to the Abbey, when he felt a strong hand on his shoulder.
“Not quite so fast, Capt’n,” said Barnabas drily, “Ah want yer opinion o’ this metter.”
“My opinion is,” said Captain Mulgrave, shortly, “that this is the most d—d mysterious thing I ever saw. And I’ve seen a few queer things in my life too.”
“Aye,” said Barnabas, “it’s a bad job this.”
He continued to stare at the dead man, and never once raised his eyes to the face of his living companion.
“Well,” said the Captain, after a long silence, “you don’t ask me to tell you how I found him?”
“Noa, sir, Ah doan’t,” said Barnabas drily.
“Well, why not?”
“Weel,” said the farmer, scratching his ear, “Ah doan’t knaw as Ah should knaw so mooch more’n Ah did afore.”
“You wouldn’t take my word then?”