"Some vague notion flashed on my brain that _my gun_ ought not to be found near the murdered body of Hallijohn.

I was flying from the door, I say, when Locksley emerged from the wood, full in view; and what possessed me I can't tell, but I did the worst thing I could do--flung the gun indoors again, and got away, although Locksley called after me to stop." "Nothing told against you so much as that," observed Mr.Carlyle.
"Locksley deposed that he had seen you leave the cottage, gun in hand, apparently in great commotion; that the moment you saw him, you hesitated, as from fear, flung back the gun, and escaped." Richard stamped his foot.

"Aye; and all owing to my cursed cowardice.
They had better have made a woman of me, and brought me up in petticoats.

But let me go on.

I came upon Bethel.