"We had so many things provided for the party, that for two or three days we wanted nothing of Healy and did not see him; but the servants having mentioned that they wanted soap for the next week's washing, my mother sent a note to the cottage, where he always stopt to enquire for orders, desiring him to bring some on his return, and also a barrel of beer for the use of the kitchen. "When I heard the cart coming up the avenue, I went to the back door, to have a little gossip. "'Well Healy,' said I, as he rolled in the barrel of beer; have you heard any news?' "'No sir,' said he. "'Nothing about farmer Gould?' I asked. "'No sir, nothing. Shall I put the beer in the cellar?' he enquired. "This question being answered, I said, 'Did you meet anybody on the road that night?' "'Lord, sir, I meet loads of people as I never take any notice of. I've enough to do to mind my own business.' "'You couldn't have been far off when he was attacked--for you know Mr. Wills says he's been killed by a blow on the back of the head, don't you?' "'Well, sir, I've heard so; but how should he know? He wasn't there, I suppose. Anything else wanted, sir?' "'I believe not, Healy,' I said; and he got into his cart and drove away while I went back to the drawing-room. "'What does Healy say?' asked my father. 'Has he heard anything new about this affair?' "'No, he says he hasn't, but he said very little and seemed rather sulky, I thought.' "'By the bye, he couldn't have been far off when the thing happened; for he had only been gone half-an-hour when we recognized the step of poor Gould's mare I recollect, and she'd soon overtake him.' "'So I told him; and I asked him if he had met anybody on the road that night, but he said he'd plenty to do to mind his own business.' "My father who was reading the paper at the time, looked up at me over his spectacles; and then fell into a reverie that lasted some minutes, but he said nothing; my mother observed that she thought Healy ought to be summoned as a witness; and my father rejoined, that no doubt he'd be examined.