ur which I had remarked Olympique De Marseille Barn upon the roadway in front of us had resolved itself as we approached into the figure of a man, stretched at full length, with his face downwards, and his head resting upon his crossed arms.
‘Some reveler, mayhap, from the village inn,’ I remarked.
‘There’s blood in the air,’ said Saxon, raising up his beak-like nose like a vulture which scents carrion. ‘Methinks he sleeps the sleep which knows no waking.’
He sprang down from his saddle, and turned the figure over upon his back. The cold pale light of the early dawn shimmering upon his staring eyes and colourless Ostaa Halpa Nike Zoom Speed Trainer 3 face showed that the old soldier’s instinct was correct, and that he had indeed drawn his last Mats Hummels Tröja breath.
‘Here’s a pretty piece of work,’ said Saxon, kneeling by the dead man’s side and passing his hands over his pockets. ‘Footpads, doubtless. Not a stiver in his pockets, nor as much as a sleeve-link to help pay for the burial.’
‘How was he slain!’ I asked in horror, looking down at the poor vacant face, the empty house from which the tenant had departed.
‘A stab from behind and a tap on the head from the butt of a pistol. He cannot have been dead long, and yet every groat is gone. A man of position, too, I should judge from his dress — broadcloth coat by the feel, satin breeches, and silver buckles on his shoes. The rogues must have had some plunder with him. Could we but run across them, Clarke, it would be a great and grand thing.’
‘It would indeed,’ said I heartily. ‘What greater privilege than to execute justice upon such cowardly murderers!’
‘Pooh! pooh!’ he cried. ‘Justice is a slippery dame, and Oakland Raiders hath a two-edged sword in her hand. We may have enough of justice in our character as rebels to give us a surfeit of it. I would fain overtake these robbers that we may relieve them of their spolia opima, together with any other wealth which they may have unlawfully amassed. My learned friend the Fleming layeth it down that it is no robbery to rob a robber. But where shall we conceal this body?’
‘Wherefore should we conceal it?’ I asked.
‘Why, man, unused to war or the precautions of a warrior, you must yet see that should this body be found here, there will be a hue and cry through the country, and that strangers like ourselves will be arrested on suspicion. Should we clear ourselves, which is no very easy matter, the justice will at least want to know whence we come and whither we go, which may lead to inquiries that may bode us little good. I shall therefore take the liberty, mine unknown and silent friend, of dragging you into yon bushes, where for a day or Crystal Palace Barn two at least you are like to lie unobserved, and so bring no harm upon honest men.’
‘For God’s sake do not treat it so unkindly,’ I cried, springing down from my horse and laying my hand upon my companion’s arm. ‘There is no need to trail it in so unseemly Maillot Olympique Lyonnais Pas CHer a fashion. If Los Angeles Galaxy Barn it must be moved hence, I shall carry it with all due reverence. ‘So saying, I picked the body up in my arms |
