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"This account rather alarmed us, and we continued to search for

him until night fell, when Elizabeth conjectured that he might

have returned to the house. He was not there. We returned again,

with torches; for I could not rest, when I thought that my sweet

boy had lost himself, and was exposed to all the damps and dews

of night; Elizabeth also suffered extreme anguish. About five in

the morning I discovered my lovely boy, whom the night before I

had seen blooming and active in health, stretched on the grass

livid and motionless; the print of the murder's finger was on his

neck.

"He was conveyed home, and the anguish that was visible in my

countenance betrayed the secret to Elizabeth. She was very

earnest to see the corpse. At first I attempted to prevent her

but she persisted, and entering the room where it lay, hastily

examined the neck of the victim, and clasping her hands

exclaimed, 'O God! I have murdered my darling child!'