"
"Innocence is a poor shield from death. It was either father or
Ralph," replied Willy, "and for myself I care not which."
Then at a calmer moment he repeated to her afresh the evidence of the
young woman Rushton, whom she and her father had housed at Fornside.
"You are sure she said 'fifty yards to the _north_ of the bridge'?"
interrupted Rotha.
"Sure," said Willy; "Ralph raised a question on the point, but they
flung it aside with contempt."
"Robbie Anderson," thought Rotha. "What does Robbie know of this that
he was forever saying the same in his delirium? Something he _must_
know. I shall run over to him at once."
But just then the two officers of the sheriff's court arrived again at
Shoulthwaite, and signified by various forms of freedom and
familiarity that it was a part of their purpose to settle there until
such time as judgment should have taken its course, and left them the
duty of appropriating the estate of a felon in the name of the crown.
"Come, young mistress, lead us up to our room, and mind you see
smartly to that breakfast.
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