“I guess the fellah that was being pushed over must ’a’ grabbed for the other fellah’s watch. Maybe he was trying to rob him.”
“Let’s see whether we can find anything else,” said John Walters, peering over the bluff.
“Don’t, John, don’t. You may fall over. It might have been a fall, and one of them might have been trying to save 147 the other, you know. He might have caught at him and pulled this off. There’s no reason why we should surmise the worst.”
“They might ha’ been playing––you know––wrestling––and it might ’a’ happened so,” said Charlie.
“Naw! They’d been big fools to wrestle so near the edge of the bluff as this,” said the practical John. “I see something white way down there, Mrs. Ballard. I can get it, I guess.”
“But take care, John. Go further round by the path.”
Both boys ran along the bluff until they came to a path that led down to the river. “Do be careful, boys!” called Mary.
“Now, let me see that again, my dear,” and Mary untied the handkerchief. “Yes, it is what I thought. That belonged to Larry Kildene. He got it in India, although he said it was Chinese. He was a year in the British service in India. I’ve often examined it. I should have known it anywhere. He must have left it with Hester for the boy.”
“Poor Larry! And it has come to this. I remember it on Richard’s chain when he came out there to meet us in the grove. Bertrand, what shall we do? They must have been here––and have quarreled––and what has happened! I’m going back to ask Betty.”
“Ask Betty! My dear! What can Betty know about it?”