But it was destined that Tom was not to go to Philadelphia that day on the Enterprise stage, or for some time to come.
“Who’s that coming up the road yonder,” said John.
“It looks like William Gaines,” said Tom’s father.
“It is Will Gaines,” said Tom.
So Will came galloping up to them, and then all three men saw from his face that he was the bearer of strange news. He leaped from his horse without a word of greeting, or without seeming to wonder why the three were standing there. His mind was too preoccupied to give attention to anything but his thoughts.
“Have you heard what’s happened?” said he.
“No.”
“What?”
Will hesitated for a moment and then said, in a solemn voice: “Isaac Naylor has been murdered!”
There was a space of dead silence.