Mr. Hurdlestone instantly called out, "Grenard, did you
see that man?" and he (the witness) answered, "Yes, it is your son." Mr.
Hurdlestone replied, in some alarm, "I told him to come to-night; but I
did not think that he would take me at my word. What can he want with
me?" The next moment a pistol was fired through the casement. The ball
passed through Mr. Hurdlestone's shoulder. He fell to the floor across
the money-box, exclaiming, "My son! my cruel son! He has murdered me for
my money; but he shall not have my money!" Witness looked up, and saw
the murderer, by the light of the moon, standing by the window. He could
swear to the person of Anthony Hurdlestone. Thinking his own life in
danger he made his escape into a back room, and got out of the window,
and ran as fast as he could to the village, to give the alarm and
procure a surgeon. When he returned he found the prisoner leaning,
apparently conscience-stricken, over the corpse. He offered no
resistance when seized by the constables; he had no money in his
possession. A pair of pistols was found in his coat pocket. One had been
recently used; the other was still loaded; and there were stains of
blood upon his hands and clothes.
He then related Anthony's previous visit to the cottage; the manner in
which he had threatened his father; and the trick the miser had played
off upon him, which circumstance had been faithfully detailed to him by
old Mark, who regarded the latter as an excellent joke, although,
Grenard dryly remarked, "It had cost him his life.
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