"Yes, exactly the shade," was the reply, and the doctor bent over the bones, while all present removed their hats with reverent awe, Will Raymond having unconsciously set the example.
In deathlike silence all stood while the doctor placed the bones together, and said: "This was the body of a child about Willie's age, at the time that our young friend here says they killed him, and it was a boy—yes, here is the left arm, and—it has been broken!"
"Heaven have mercy! it is the body of my poor boy," groaned Mr. Rossmore.
"Yes, Rossmore, it is, and I can swear to it, for here is the broken arm, the fracture being just below the elbow, as was Willie's, while you remember the tooth I took out for him one day?"
"Yes, he would not go to a dentist, but wished you to take it out, so I sent for you."
"He had no other tooth missing, and none here are, you see; but great Heaven!" and the doctor arose to his feet, holding the skull in his hands.
All pressed about him, while he continued, pointing to the skull: "Do you see that fracture?
"It tells the story that he was murdered!"
It was too true, the fractured skull showed where a death-blow had been given the poor boy, but whether by accident or design, who could tell?
As all crowded about the doctor, gazing at the skull, Will Raymond sprang down into the grave and picked up something that had caught his eye in the loose dirt.