CHAPTER III.
_An Alarm at the Farm-house._--_The Dreadful Announcement of William Bucholz._--_The Finding of the Murdered Man._ The evening shadows gathered over Roton Hill, and darkness settled over the scene.

The wind rustled mournfully through the leafless branches of the trees, as though with a soft, sad sigh, while overhead the stars glittered coldly in their far-off setting of blue.
Within the farm-house the fire glowed brightly and cheerily; the lamps were lighted; the cloth had been laid for the frugal evening meal, and the kettle hummed musically upon the hob.

The family of the Warings, with the exception of the father, whose business was in a distant city, were gathered together.

Samuel Waring, the son, had returned from his labor, and with the two girls were seated around the hearth awaiting the return of the old gentleman and William, while Mrs.Waring busied herself in the preparations for tea.
"Now, if Mr.Schulte would come," said Mrs.Waring, "we would ask him to take tea with us this evening; the poor man will be cold and hungry." "No use in asking him, mother," replied Samuel, "he wouldn't accept." "It is pretty nearly time they were here," said Sadie, with a longing look toward the inviting table.
"Well, if they do not come soon we will not wait for them," said Mrs.
Waring.
As she spoke a shrill, startled cry rose upon the air; the voice of a man, and evidently in distress.

Breathless they stopped to listen--the two girls clinging to each other with blanched faces and staring eyes.
"Sammy! Sammy!" again sounded that frightened call.
Samuel Waring started to his feet and moved rapidly toward the door.
"It sounds like William!" he cried, "something must have happened." He had reached the door and his hand was upon the latch, when it was violently thrown open and Bucholz rushed in and fell fainting upon the floor.
[Illustration: "_Bucholz rushed in and fell fainting to the floor._"] He was instantly surrounded by the astonished family, and upon examination it was discovered that his face was bleeding, while the flesh was lacerated as though he had been struck with some sharp instrument.