"
"And you tell me you were not near the place at the time of the
accident?"
"_I_ wasn't," replied Mr. Pike, with emphasis.
"Who was?"
"That's my secret. And as I've a little matter of business on hand
to-night, I don't care to be further delayed, if it's all the same to
you, neighbour. And instead of your accusing me of prowling about the
mill again, perhaps you'll just give a thought occasionally to what I
have now said, keeping it to yourself. I'm not afraid of your spreading
it in Calne; for it might bring a hornets' nest about your head, and
about some other heads that you wouldn't like to injure."
With the last words Mr. Pike crossed the hurdles and went off in the
direction of Hartledon. It was a light night, and the clerk stood and
stared after him. To say that Jabez Gum in his astonishment was uncertain
whether he stood on his head or his heels, would be saying little; and
how much of these assertions he might believe, and what mischief Mr. Pike
might be going after to-night, he knew not. Drawing a long sigh, which
did not sound very much like a sigh of relief, he at length turned off to
Dr. Ashton's, and the man disappeared.
We must follow Pike. He went stealthily up the road past Hartledon,
keeping in the shade of the hedge, and shrinking into it when he saw any
one coming. Striking off when he neared the mill, he approached it
cautiously, and halted amidst some trees, whence he had a view of the
mill-door.
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