"Odds truth, Master Short, why you've just laid 'em under arrest!"

"H'm, true: then let 'em stay so--in the king's name--and have done
with it."

Master Short, in fact, was growing testy: but now the women push'd
by him, and, by screaming at the sight of blood, put him out of all
patience. Dragging them back by the skirts, he told me he must take
the depositions, and pull'd out pen and ink horn.

"Sirs," said I, laying poor Anthony's head softly back, "you are too
late: whilst ye were cackling my friend is dead."

"Then, young man, thou must come along."

"Come along?"

"The charge is _homocidium_, or manslaying, with or without malice
prepense--"

"But--" I look'd round. The potboy was insensible, and my eyes fell
on Master Davenant, who slowly shook his head.

"I'll say not a word," said he, stolidly: "lost twenty pound, one
time, by a lawsuit."

"Pack of fools!" I cried, driven beyond endurance. "The guilty ones
have escap'd these ten minutes. Now stop me who dares!"