The farmer, yes, he constituted
the final suspect whom they rooted
and the one they finally prosecuted
for the wicked, wicked deed.
But nothing's right within our force
he was, you see, let go, of course,
upon the finding that his horse
was taken ill that day.

He was the farmer nearest to the wood where Ms. Melvin's body was found. And who should better have had the twine used at hand than a vegetable farmer? The police investigated him, arrested him, put him on trial. They thought they might have their man! But alas, it was found that while our good Ms. Melvin was being slain, Mr. Sykes was off and away at the veterinarian having his workhorse seen to. Or so it was testified.

[Monty grins.]

But one final twist, I think you'll like:
there was some harsh and bitter strife
between the Melvins and the Sykes
about some wretched thing.
A dispute on lands they both claimed theirs
for kith and kindred through the years
so on and on here fought the heirs
of the Melvins and the Sykes.