Page:Quiller-Couch--Old fires and profitable ghosts.djvu/87

Rh I had to. And after a while I picked up all my courage, so to say, between my teeth, and with a little sob thrust out my hand and did it. Then I fled. "The dawn was close upon me: and as soon as the sky reddened I took my bath, dressed and went downstairs. And there at the pantry door I found Mrs. Carkeek, also dressed, with my candlestick in her hand.

"‘Ah!' said I, 'you picked it up.'

"Our eyes met. Clearly Mrs. Carkeek wished me to begin, and I determined at once to have it out with her.

"‘And you knew all about it. That's what accounts for your plugging up the cistern.'

"‘You saw …?" she began.

"… Yes, yes. And you must tell me all about it—never mind how bad. Is—is it—murder?'

"‘Law bless you, miss, whatever put such horrors in your head?'

"‘She was washing her hands.'

"‘Ah, so she does, poor dear! But—murder! And dear little Miss Margaret, that wouldn't go to hurt a fly!' "‘Miss Margaret?'

"‘Eh, she died at seven year. Squire Kendall's only daughter; and that's over twenty year ago. I was her nurse, miss, and I know—diphtheria it was; she took it down in the village.'

"‘But how do you know it is Margaret?'