"Silence, sir!" said Elmer. "Not a word till you are spoken to. What does he want, John?"
"He says he must see Mr. Denny. It's very important—and, oh, sir, he's a'most beside himself, and I wouldn't let him in."
"Call him in at once," said Mr. Denny. "It is a most fortunate arrival. The very man we want."
John returned to the hall, and in a moment an old man, gray-haired and wrinkled, but still vigorous and strong, stood before them. He seemed a giant in his huge great-coat, and when he removed his hat his massive head and thick neck seemed almost leonine.
"Ah! Mr. Sheriff, you have arrived at a most opportune moment. We were just awakened from our beds by this robber. We captured him, and we have him here."
"Beg pardon, sir. Sorry to hear it, but 'twere another errant that brought me here. The widow Green's daughter, Alice, she that was missing, has been found in the mill-race—dead."
They all gave expression to undisguised astonishment, and the prisoner in the chair groaned heavily.
"And I have come for the key of the boat house, sir, that we may go for the—body, sir."
"How horrible! When did all this happen?"
"We dunno, sir. I'd like the key ter once."