THE RUBY OF KISHMOOR
this I do know: that when I went away from thee I departed an innocent man, and now I come back to thee burdened with the weight of three lives, which, though innocent, I have been instrumental in taking.”
“Explain!” exclaimed the lady, tapping the floor with her foot. “Explain! explain! explain!”
“That I will,” cried Jonathan, “and as soon as I am able! When I left thee and went out into the street I was accosted by a little gentleman clad in black.”
“Indeed!” cried the lady; “and had he but one eye, and did he carry a gold-headed cane?”
“Exactly,” said Jonathan; “and he claimed acquaintance with friend Jeremiah Doolittle.”
“He never knew him!” cried the lady, vehemently; “and I must tell you that he was a villain named Hunt, who at one time was the intimate consort of the pirate Keitt. He it was who plunged a deadly knife into his captain’s bosom, and so murdered him in this very house. He himself, or his
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