At this sally many of the rustics who were present burst out in a loud guffaw.
The landlord and one of his barmen proceeded to replace the table which had been overturned, and picked up the shattered glasses which lay upon the floor.
A dead calm succeeded the storm and tumult which had been raging but a few minutes before.
Joe returned with two policemen, who promptly obeyed the orders given by Wrench, who handed his prisoner over to them, and he was forthwith marched off to the village lock-up.
“Dall it all,” cried the countryman, “but this be but a sorry ending to the fair.”
The young gentleman with the flowing locks and kid gloves had quietly withdrawn from the scene immediately after Nell had sprung upon Chudley—he was followed by the man who sat with the huge lump of cheese before him.
Their sudden flight struck Mr. Wrench as being a little singular; he, however, did not make any remark in reference to the same.
Everybody in the room seemed all at once to becomr, serious, and reflective. The noise of many voices had ceased.
The soldiers were as stiff and formal as on a parade day, and those in the parlour who had partaken a little too freely of strong drinks appeared to be sobered, by the sight they had witnessed.
For the remainder of the night there was little else talked about in the parlour of the “Lord Cornwallis” but the capture of the wretched man who was arrested, upon the grave charge of murder.