9fi NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



The mystery elucidated. 



rated, so as to make the trunk and extremities 

 lie in the sack, was now exposed to view. 



" The dog smelt the blood, and after survey- 

 ing the corpse, looked piteously at his master, 

 and licked his hand, as if grateful that the mys- 

 terious murder was discovered. 



" It was afterwards proved, that a traveller had 

 really been murdered two nights before his lord- 

 ship's arrival at that haunt of infamy; and that 

 the offence was committed in the very chamber, 

 and probably in the very bed, wherein his lord- 

 ship had slept ; and which, but for the warnings 

 of his faithful friend, must have been fatal to 

 himself. 



" The maid-servant was an accomplice in the 

 guilt ; and the ruffian travellers, who were confe- 

 derating with the innholder and his wife, were 

 the murderers of the remains that had been just 

 emptied from the sack, and which were to have 

 been buried that night in a pit, dug in an adjacent 

 field belonging to the innholder; whose intention 

 it likewise was to have murdered the nobleman. 

 The innkeeper and his wife were taken up, and 

 punished according to their deserts ; and the no- 

 bleman was so affected at his miraculous escape, 

 that he bound up the wounds of his faithful dog 

 with the greatest care, and the balms of love and, 

 friendship were infused. The master's hour of 

 contrition was now come : he was sorry he had 

 ever neglected so invaluable a friend ; and as the 

 only peace-offering in his power, departed with 



