The Strange Death of Mistress Coffin by Robert J. Begiebing Page A

But if I may, I would dwell somewhat longer on this Higgins matter. I believe Coffin wants testing, for one thing. And if Coffin be innocent, then Higgins has much to answer for. Should he be found. I believe him alive.”
    â€œAlive?” Cole sipped his cider, musing. “You may suit yourself, as to that. And I would have you probe these matters so long as you may release truths out of darkness, so long as your efforts repay us. It is a mysterious business. Have they told you of the light over the meetinghouse the night before Mistress Coffin’s death?”
    â€œThe light?”
    â€œIt is not uncommon. The Indians see them, and they have appeared near Boston. ‘Corpse fires’ some call them because they are sure to produce a corpse next day. Like a flame, hovering above a wigwam, church, or house.”
    â€œI had not heard of such a fire in this particular connection.”
    â€œWhatever the invisible world may answer for in England, Richard, it has much more to answer for in this wildernesswhere the English have planted. A gentleman from Cape Ann entertained me with his mouth full of marvels half the night on my recent visit there. Nearly twenty years ago many would swear to a great, snaky sea monster coiled like a cable upon a certain rock. Woe to the mariner who strayed too close!” Cole laughed, not the laugh of incredulity, but of curiosity in security, of men exchanging stories. Cole was known for taking pleasure in tales of wonder and human folly.
    â€œOne providence he told me was of an incident on that Cape, about a decade ago, which happened to a ship’s master, a fisherman, one Mr. Foxwell. He had put off from shore to a night anchorage and was awakened at midnight by the calling of his own name, ‘Foxwell—Foxwell,’ coming across the water from the beach. He rose and looked out upon a great fire on the sands. Men and women were holding hands to form a ring and dancing around the fire. Again he heard his name, but finally there was only the dancing and the fire until the fire burned low and the dancers vanished. Exploring ashore the next morning, he found the footprints of men, women, and children. And an infinite number of brand-ends had been tossed up by the surf. The footprints were of people who wore shoes, but he could find nowhere any other traces of people, English or Indian.”
    â€œThere is much that cannot be answered for in this world,” Browne said.
    â€œAs there is in this case you pursue?”
    â€œPerhaps the solution is beyond our understandings.”
    â€œThen we had better resort to prayer and fast,” Cole said. “But Mr. Coffin is a man of parts. I believe he is to be trusted. Of course I have not had the opportunity to study the case as you have. Goody Higgins is at some peace now. Her oldest son, Jared, especially helps with a man’s work. But life is difficult here alone. If her husband intends to keep absent, or if he is as I believe dead, we may have to provide her the opportunityto marry again. It comes to the same thing whatever the cause of his absence.” He looked at Browne and smiled. “I can imagine no lack of suitors.” He rose and stepped over to a series of little cupboards and drawers built into the wall beside the fireplace and pulled forth his pipe, which he proceeded to pack methodically as he ruminated. Then he turned around, waved his pipe generally about the room, and said: “Sup with us this evening, Richard. You have been away much too long. Mistress Cole has been asking after you. No need to dine out, as I’ve told you.”
    He then stepped within the great hearth and, with a coal snatched and held by a particularly slender pair of smokingtongs, lit his pipe. “We are happy to have you with us,” he went on. “We see so little of you, now you’ve taken lodgings. You’ll have your own life soon enough, once you build. Then I’ll wager we shall