The magistrate instantly advanced, saying,
"I must take the gentleman's deposition, Mr. Abbot."
"You come a little too late, Sir," said the surgeon, "he will make no more depositions now."
It was, indeed, as he said. Captain Moreton had just expired, and all that remained for the magistrate, who was soon joined by one of his worshipful brethren, was to gain all the information that could be obtained from the persons in the house regarding the deaths of Charlotte Hay and her paramour. Beauchamp and Ned Hayward answered the questions which were addressed to them, but entered into no unnecessary details. The rest of those who were called upon to give evidence or volunteered it, were much more garrulous, and as the two gentlemen remained to hear the whole depositions they were detained for some hours at Winterton.
When all was at length over, and Lord Lenham and Ned Hayward stood before the inn-door, they gazed at each other for a moment or two without speaking. At length Beauchamp's servant came up from the side of the carriage, which was ordered some time before, was already before the house, and inquired, in a commonplace tone,
"Where shall I tell them to drive, my lord?"
There was a momentary look of hesitation in the young nobleman's face, but the next instant he answered in a decided tone,
"To Tarningham Park," and turning to his friend as soon as they were once more in the vehicle, he said with a sigh,
"I will at least carry her the tidings, Hayward, and then--"
He paused, and Ned Hayward asked, in his usual cheerful tone,