The shadows of suspicion gathered round the case.

The cat's disappearance, at first regarded as a mystery, began to assume the shape of a crime.

The wife openly accused the husband of never having liked the animal, and more than hinted that he and the gardener between them could give a tolerably truthful account of its last moments; an insinuation that the husband repudiated with a warmth that only added credence to the original surmise.
"The bull-terrier was had up and searchingly examined.

Fortunately for him, he had not had a single fight for two whole days.

Had any recent traces of blood been detected upon him, it would have gone hard with him.
"The person who suffered most, however, was the youngest boy.