Presently the light from its windows struck across the street, ahead.
I pushed open the door and entered.
The small bar was full of people newly come from the court, and
discussing the trial in all its bearings. In the babel I heard a
dozen different opinions given in as many seconds, and learnt enough,
too, to make me content with the jury I had had. But the warmth of
the place was pleasant, and I elbowed my way forward to the counter.
There was a woman standing by the door as I entered, who looked
curiously at me for a moment, then turned to nudge a man at her side,
and whisper. The whisper grew as I pressed forward, and before I
could reach the counter a hand was laid on my shoulder from behind.
I turned.
"Well?" said I.
It was a heavy-looking drover that had touched me.
"Are you the chap that was tried to-day for murder of Jeweller Todd?"
he asked.
"Well?" said I again, but I could see the crowd falling back, as if I
was a leper, at his question.
"Well? 'Taint well then, as I reckon, to be making so free with
respectable folk."
There was a murmur of assent from the mouths turned towards me.
The landlord came forward from behind the bar.
"I was acquitted," I urged defiantly.
"Ac-quitted!" said he, with big scorn in the syllables. "Hear im
now--'ac-quitted!' Landlord, is this a respectable house?"
The landlord gave his verdict.
"H'out yer goes, and damn yer impudence!"
I looked round, but their faces were all dead against me.
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