the dreadful tragedy which had flung a nameless horror over Thurston Wood. CHAPTER XXIV. “BALAAM” IS TAKEN INTO CONSULTATION. “The ass learnt metaphors and tropes, But most on music fixed his hopes.” _Gay._ “Methought I heard a voice, and yet I doubted, Now roaring like the ocean, when the winds Fight with the waves, now in a still small tone.” _Dryden._ As may be imagined, the next day or two was occupied by the Nestletonians in discussing matters pertaining to the startling event which had taken place in Thurston Wood. Thurston Beck was dragged and re-dragged, even the deep pool into which the “cascade” poured its waters was explored as far as the limited means at the disposal of rural justice would permit, but all in vain; the body of Black Morris could not be found. There were some, indeed, who ventured to express an opinion that the marks in the woods and the discovered gun were capable of some other explanation. Meanwhile Philip Fuller lay helplessly in the grip of strong disease, and willy-nilly, examination and arrest must be suspended for awhile, Squire Fuller, himself a J.P. for the county, undertaking surveillance of his son until such times as he could answer for himself. Here for the present we must leave the painful story, and turn our attention in a widely different direction. * * * * * Blithe Natty was up at his work betimes, as his custom was. The cheery sound of his ringing anvil, and the cheerier sound of his grand tenor voice, mingled musically in the morning air. The glittering sparks from the red-hot iron, out of which he was developing a horse-shoe, glanced at his leather apron, and sprinkled the floor with dull dark flakes. The fire on the hearth flamed and flickered, casting its reflection on the wall, on which hung rows of shoes ready to be nailed on the hoofs of whatever horses had cast or worn out their metal armour. Screwkeys, patterns, boring-braces, and other implements of the grimy craft were suspended in similar fashion; and leaning in the corners, and laid upon the rough beams overhead were numerous long bars and rods and sheets of iron, the raw material, out of which his deft and skilful handicraft evolved all sorts of articles for farming or domestic use. Blithe Natty was evidently in good spirits this morning, judging from the cheery nature of his song:-- When troubles and trials are gathering round, The best thing to do, never doubt it, Is to tell them to Jesus; He’ll help, I’ll be bound; Then go, tell the Lord all about it. His people need never, no never despair-- And I for one never will doubt it; But I’ll go to the feet of my Saviour in prayer-- I’ll go tell my Lord all about it. The sceptic may sneer, and the world may deride, And laugh at my folly and scout it; Every need of my life to my God I’ll confide-- I’ll go tell my Lord all about it.