Here there was heard an uproar in the street and a crowd of boys was seen approaching. One of them was carrying an animal, which he grasped by the tail and held with its head hanging down.
"A dead monkey," said the boy. "We found him in the grove by the fountain lying on his back in the bushes."
Bragg rushed forward and the boy dropped the monkey, which lay on the ground with its hideous face turned upward.
"My monkey! my monkey!" exclaimed Bragg. He stooped down and examined the dead body. Its skull had been cracked by a terrible blow which must have produced instant death. "This monkey has been foully murdered! Oh, that I knew the villain who perpetrated the bloody deed! Who killed my monkey? I say who killed my monkey?" said Bragg.
"Botts!" said a voice apparently issuing from the mouth of the monkey. Bragg started back with a look of amazement. The crowd of boys opened and they fell back in awe and terror.
"Bill," said a boy to his companion, "that monkey spoke."
"True as preaching!" said Bill. "I heard it."
Bragg stood speechless for some minutes. Then, in solemn tones, he exclaimed,--
"What?" said Toney, who with Tom stood at a distance of some paces. "I heard nothing."
"Did you not hear a voice issuing from the mouth of the corpse and proclaiming the name of the murderer?" exclaimed Bragg.
"By no means impossible," said the Professor. "Shakspeare, who is good authority on all such subjects, tells us that
Stones have been known to move and trees to speak; Auguries and understood relations have, By magot-pies and choughs and rooks, brought forth The secret'st man of blood."
"True, Mr. Tickle," said Bragg. "And as sure as yonder sun is shining in the heavens I heard a voice issuing from that monkey's mouth and proclaiming Botts to be the murderer!"
"Botts could prove an alibi," said Toney. "He has gone back to Mapleton."
"The conscience-stricken villain!" exclaimed Bragg. "He has imbrued his hands in innocent blood and then fled. I will follow him to the ends of the earth!" And Bragg started off as if in pursuit of the murderer.
"Captain!" shouted Seddon, "What will you do with the corpse?"
"Bury it," said Bragg, coming back,--"and then I will seek out that villain Botts."
Accompanied by the boys, Bragg proceeded to bury his monkey.