She watched as the sparrow-hawk watches its prey. Just at dusk
she saw Bingley leave the mill and steal away among the alders that
lined the stream. She suspected where he was going, and, by a shorter
route, reached a field opposite Laycock's house, and, from behind the
hedge, saw Bingley push aside the cellar window and crawl in. He had
tried the door first, but it was just at this hour Laycock was in the
ale-house. The rector was a magistrate; and she went to him with her
tale, and he saw at once the importance of her information. He posted
the men who watched Laycock's house; they saw Bingley leave it, and
when he was about a mile from Hallam they arrested him, and took him
to Leeds. Laycock's arrest had followed as early as a warrant could
be obtained. He sent at once for Mr. North, and frankly confessed to
him his share in the tragedy.
"It was a moment's temptation, sir," he said, with bitter sorrow, "and
I hev been as miserable as any devil out o' hell could be iver since.
T' night as Clough were shot, I had passed his house, and seen Mary
Clough at t' garden gate, and she hed been varry scornful, and told
me she'd marry Ben Craven, or stay unmarried; and I were feeling bad
about it. I thought I'd walk across t' moor and meet Clough, and tell
him what Mary said, and as I went along I heard a shot, and saw a man
running.
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