Rudy swallowed heavily, fidgeting with his hands.
“Mr. Treadway came into the stables. He didn’t know I was in the loft, didn’t notice me any. I’d been asleep, so it weren’t until he was leaving with Fortinbras, that’s Mr. Risewell’s horse, that I knew anything.
“It wasn’t unusual for him to take a horse for a ride, but he had only ever done it during the day before, not at night, and never in such bad weather.” He hesitated, running a handthrough his hair. “And, well, the last time he went out, I was exercising Seneca in the pasture and I saw him meeting with that other woman.”
He fisted his hands in his lap. “So for him to be leaving at such a time as that, with the weather, I thought perhaps he was making another rendezvous.” He looked up at them. “I’ll admit, I was angry when I followed him. But what happened afterwards was an accident.”
“What happened?” Byron asked, voice gentle.
“I caught up to him on the West Ledge. He dismounted and made the weak excuse that he felt the need to go for a ride. I asked him if he were going to meet with that woman again, and his whole attitude changed. He asked me how much I knew and if I’d told anyone. I told him I knew he’d been meeting a lady and I’d seen him giving her jewelry.” He shook his head. “I didn’t know he was the burglar everyone had been speaking of. I thought he was being unfaithful to Miss Risewell. And seeing as... seeing as we couldn’t be together, I thought she’d be able to at least find an honest man.”
“Was the knife yours or his?” Byron asked.
“His. He drew it on me when I said I’d tell Miss Risewell what he was up to. We fought and when he cut my arm here, I threw him off of me with all my strength. And, well, that was enough for him to lose his balance.”
“Did you check to see if he survived?” McGuire asked.
“No sir. I hate to say it, but the way he was acting seemed downright murderous. I thought he might recover and follow me. The snow was coming down something awful by then, so I brought Fortinbras back to the stable and barred the door. And then, in the morning...” He closed his eyes.
“You didn’t think to tell anyone?” Inspector Rutledge asked.
“I didn’t know he’d died,” his voice wavered. “Not until this lady here,” Rudy gestured to Mira, “came into the stable sayingthey found a man and needed to fetch the doctor back from the hunt. And then everyone said it was an accident.”
“And what of the necklace? Hm?” Inspector Rutledge asked. “Did you and Miss Risewell plan to steal it together?”
Rudy frowned. “Necklace?”
“Jade and amethyst. Did you sell it for money to elope?” Rutledge asked.
He shook his head. “I don’t know about any necklace. I’d given up hope long ago of ever eloping with Miss Theresia. It wouldn’t be right.”
“I suppose it will all come out in the trial,” Rutledge said. “Rudolph Foster, you are under arrest for the death of Silas Treadway and perverting the course of justice.”
Constable Welter produced a set of handcuffs and Rudy stood, offering his wrists.
Rutledge moved over to Byron and Mira. “I’m surprised he’s cooperating so easily,” he whispered.
“He said it himself: he wants to be rid of the guilt,” Byron said, glancing at Mira and echoing her words. “He’s a good man, but even good men will act wrongfully out of fear. If he is telling the truth, which I believe he is, his only crime was hiding the death.”
Rudy paused at the door as the constables were leading him out. “Mr. Constantine? Will you let Mr. Sharpe know what’s happened? I haven’t finished filling the feeding troughs, and I don’t want the horses to starve on account of what I’ve done.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Byron said. “Don’t you worry.”
Rudy nodded.
The door of the stable opened and Theresia Risewell entered holding Verona’s reins.
“What is going on here?” she asked.
“Mr. Foster has been arrested for the death of Silas Treadway,” Rutledge said.
“What? But the inquest . . .”
“New evidence has come to light,” Byron said.
“I’m sorry,” Rudy said. “I should have told you.”
“You mean . . . you killed him?”
