“Yes,” said another; “it's been long in the water.”
“Water couldn't do it,” said the sheriff; “it was gone before it went into the water.”
“What was that for?”
“To prevent identification,” said the sheriff, in a significant tone.
The remains were in due time conveyed to an appropriate place, together with the rope and the dagger. On the following day a search was made for the missing head. The well was pumped dry, a task in which there was little difficulty, as there was little more than two feet of water in it, but nothing of the kind was found. Then they dragged the pond, but without result. The search was also continued elsewhere, but it was equally unsuccessful.
It was then concluded that the murderer had removed the head of his victim to prevent identification, and had buried it somewhere, but that the traces of burial had been obliterated by the lapse of time. The only wonder was that the clothes should have been allowed to remain by one who had been so much on his guard as to decapitate his victim.
CHAPTER XXXIX. — THE CORONER'S INQUEST.
The remains were deposited in a proper place, and a coroner's inquest was held at once, at which the usual examination of witnesses was conducted.