"I call upon you to tie the villain!" insisted the woman.

"Just as you say! Can you give me some rope?"

From a drawer Mrs. Brown drew a quantity of strong cord, and the man
proceeded to tie Carl's hands.

"Tie his feet, too, Walter!"

"Even if you didn't tie me, I would promise to remain here. I don't want
anybody to suspect me of such a thing," put in Carl.

"How artful he is!" said Mrs. Brown. "Tie him strong, Walter."

The two were left alone, Carl feeling decidedly uncomfortable. The
newly-made widow laid her head upon the table and moaned, glancing
occasionally at the body of her husband, as it still hung suspended from
the hook.

"Oh, William, I little expected to find you dead!" she groaned. "I only
went to the store to buy a pound of salt, and when I come back, I find
you cold and still, the victim of a young ruffian! How could you be so
wicked?" she demanded fiercely of Carl.

"I have told you that I had nothing to do with your husband's death,
madam."

"Who killed him, then?" she cried.