Have you seen,
or heard of Emma?'
'No!' said Mr Willet.
'Nor any one but these bloodhounds?'
'No!'
'They rode away, I trust in Heaven, before these dreadful scenes began,'
said Mr Haredale, who, between his agitation, his eagerness to mount
his horse again, and the dexterity with which the cords were tied, had
scarcely yet undone one knot. 'A knife, Daisy!'
'You didn't,' said John, looking about, as though he had lost his
pocket-handkerchief, or some such slight article--'either of you
gentlemen--see a--a coffin anywheres, did you?'
'Willet!' cried Mr Haredale. Solomon dropped the knife, and instantly
becoming limp from head to foot, exclaimed 'Good gracious!'
'--Because,' said John, not at all regarding them, 'a dead man called a
little time ago, on his way yonder. I could have told you what name was
on the plate, if he had brought his coffin with him, and left it behind.
If he didn't, it don't signify.'
His landlord, who had listened to these words with breathless attention,
started that moment to his feet; and, without a word, drew Solomon
Daisy to the door, mounted his horse, took him up behind again, and flew
rather than galloped towards the pile of ruins, which that day's sun
had shone upon, a stately house.
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