396 THE SMUGGLER. 



gistrate. " It is absolutely necessary, if, as I understand, yon 

 were eye-witness to the murder." 



Leyton saw the propriety of the magistrate's demand, and 

 he yielded immediately. But the investigation was prolonged 

 by several circumstances; and, what between the time that it 

 took up, and that which had been previously spent in the pur- 

 suit of the murderers, it was past three o'clock before Layton 

 mounted his horse at Mr. Broughton's door. He paused for 

 an instant at the gate of the Harris's farm-yard, where a girl 

 was standing with tears in her eyes ; but before he could ask 

 any question, she replied to that which was rising to his lips. 

 " She is gone, sir," said the girl; "she is gone. She did not 

 last half an hour after you were here." 



With a sad heart, Leyton rode on, passing at a quick pace 

 through Harbourne Wood, and not trusting himself to stop at 

 Mrs. Clare's cottage. The windows, however, were closed; 

 and the young officer concluded from that circumstance, that 

 the tidings of her daughter's fate must by this time have 

 reached the childless widow. Not far beyond her gate, he was 

 met by Sir Edward Digby's servant; but eager to arrive at 

 Woodchurch, Layton did not stop to speak with him, and 

 Somers, turning his horse with the orderly and his old compa- 

 nion, Lay ton's servant, gleaned what information he could from 

 them as he went. 



Notwithstanding all the speed he could use, however, it was 

 half-past four before Layton reached Woodchurch; and, on 

 inquiring for Mr. Warde, he found that gentleman had called, 

 but gone away again, saying he would return in an hour. 



