"Besides, if I knows anythink of a crack on t'head, her wur outed before she went into t'river....

But who i' t'world can she be ?" "If you don't fetch that rug I'll go for it myself," said Grant, whereupon Bates made off.
He was soon back again with a carriage rug, which Grant helped him to spread over the dripping body.

Then he hastened to the village, taking a path that avoided the house.
The lawn and river bank of The Hollies could only be overlooked from the steep wooded cliff opposite, and none but an adventurous boy would ever think of climbing down that almost impassable rampart of rock, brushwood, and tree-roots.

At any rate, when left alone with the ghastly evidence of a tragedy, Grant troubled only to satisfy himself that no one was watching from the house.

Assured on that point, he lifted a corner of the rug, and, apparently, forced himself to scrutinize the dead woman's face.