“No, child,” replied Saul; “I be 'scaped! I shouldn't ha' zeen thee, wench, nor thy mother neither, but whoam laid in my road. I be zafe yet till day-light, if Ponto's as true as I've a' zeen un avore now. But I shouldn't zay _if_ vor I be zure ov un.” In reply to the inquiries of his wife, Said briefly related the result of his conversation with Martin, the manner of his escape from old Abel, and his intention to fly the country for ever, if he could. “Not,” added he, “that I think they could bring aught whoam to me, upon trial; though I didn't think zo, when I were tied up by a rope to a chimney-bar, in the Hall; but now it ztrikes I, there wouldn't be much danger ov my getting acquitted--and vor why?--It's clear the man were killed by _one_--not _two_. Now, if Bob's vound guilty, I must be turned out innocent; and guilty a' will be vound, or else I've blundered blessedly.” “Heavens above us, Saul! what d'ye mean?” cried Meg. Braintree now frankly told his wife the circumstances relative to Robert's shoes; and concluded, with a forced smile, sighing deeply as he spoke,--“And zo, the young un be nicked for no-man's-land, wi'out a bit of a doubt;--that be certain, I reckon.” “Oh! Saul!” cried Meg, “Saul Braintree, what hast thee done?--thou hast murdered thy son!” “Murdered my viddlestick! He's the'zquire's--Jemmy Ztapleton's buoy;--Martin be mine.” “Martin Stapleton, father!” almost shrieked Peggy. “Ay, wench; and he cut the cord vor me, like a Briton.” “Said! Saul!” replied Meg, “doan't thee smile; my poor heart be bursting. I never thought I should see this night!” “Woe's me, mother; I was almost killed wi' trouble before, and now such news as this!” sobbed Peggy, pressing her hands to her eyes. “What be the matter, missus?--All's right;--doan't be dashed.” “If thou didst kill Govier, Saul,” said Meg, “thou bee'st a vather, vor all that; and I do pity thee:--thou hast laid a trap vor thy own son. When thou went'st away a smuggling that time, just after the 'squire had discharged thee, and when we knowed he was looking out for another nurse--” “Well, what then?” interrupted Saul. “Why, Saul, thou didst tempt me to change the children. I promised thee I would:--I tried, and I couldn't!--Thee thought'st to deceive 'Squire Stapleton, but I deceived thee, Saul. I couldn't send away my own boy--my virst-born--my darling. If thee wert a mother, thee wouldst vorgive me. Oh! that I had done as thee told me! Saul, Saul, thee hast murdered thy child! Bob's thy own vlesh and blood,--and Martin Stapleton be no kin to thee.” “Oh! mother!” said Peggy, dropping on her knees; “I am almost ashamed to say how I thank you for those words; they have a'most saved my life;--but then, my brother--my poor, poor brother!” “Bob my own vlesh and blood!” said Saul, turning pale as a dying man while he spoke; “Bob my zon, a'ter all!--Tell'ee he an't! I won't believe thee:--dost hear?”