He was convinced, however, that both Bill Swinton and
Luke Marner were ignorant of his whereabouts, so genuine had been
their astonishment at his questions, and so deep their indignation
when they learned his errand.
"Thou duss'n't believe it, Luke?" Bill Swinton said as he entered
the latter's cottage.
"No, lad, oi duss'n't," Luke said; "no more does Polly here, but
it looks main awkward," he said slowly stroking his chin, "if as
how what the constable said is right, and there was a fight atween
them that evening."
"Maister Ned were a hot 'un," Bill said; "he allus said as how he
had a dreadful temper, though oi never seed nowt of it in him, and
he hated Foxey like poison; that oi allows; but unless he tells
me hisself as he killed him nowt will make me believe it. He might
ha' picked up summat handy when Foxey hit him and smashed him, but
oi don't believe it of Maister Ned as he would ha done it arterward."
"He war a downright bad 'un war Foxey," Luke said, "vor sure. No
worse in the district, and there's many a one as would rejoice as
he's gone to his account, and oi believe as whoever's done it has
saved Captain Lud from a job; but there, it's no use a talking of
that now. Now, look here, Bill, what thou hast got to do be this.
Thou hast got to find the boy; oi expect he be hiding somewheres
up on t' moors. Thou knowst better nor oi wheere he be likely vor
to be.
Pages:
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214