But, at last, it was done; the distorted limbs were smoothed and the wounds partially covered; and some semblance of humanity came back to the dead form as it was carried slowly away towards home.

When this had been done, there was time for another thought--the murderer?
Perhaps every one present had already in his heart convicted one person, but even in the excitement of horror some one had sense enough to say, "There ought to be a search made--there may be some trace." Nor was it difficult to find a trace.

At a very little distance from the spot itself there appeared marks upon the grass as if footsteps, heavy, and wet with dark-coloured moisture, had trodden there.

They followed the tracks, and came to a place where many low bushes growing close together formed a kind of thicket.

Almost buried in this, the figure of a man lying upon the ground filled them for a moment with a new consternation--but this was no lifeless body.