"I saw what happened," she said, her deep voice a little sharp. "Your horse shied and splashed Mr. Joses." She appealed swiftly to him. "Wasn't that it?"
"Yes," said Silver coldly. "I splashed him by accident and apologised."
"And he turned nasty!"
The intervening voice was harsh and unfamiliar. Silver turned to see a tall inspector of police sitting like a pillar of salt in a dog-cart, which had drawn up in the road.
Joses, who had seen him, too, began to shake, and more horrible still to laugh.
"He was naturally a bit annoyed," said Silver.
The tall inspector was looking Joses up and down. There was a dreadful air of domination about him.
"If you're satisfied, sir, I say no more," said the inspector, reluctant as a dog to leave a bone.
"I'm satisfied," replied Silver.
The inspector withdrew. The little knot of people who had gathered began to disperse. The young man and the girl trotted on their way.