"If Gautran did not murder the girl, who did?" asked one, a waverer, who formed an exception to the general rule.
"That is for the law to find out."
"It was found out, and the murderer has been set loose. We shall have to take care of ourselves on dark nights."
"Would you condemn a man upon insufficient evidence?"
"I would condemn such as Gautran on any evidence. When you want to get rid of vermin it does not do to be over particular."
"The law must be respected."
"Life must be protected. That is the first law."
"Hush! Here he is. Best not let him overhear you."
There was but little diversity of opinion. Even in the inn of The Seven Liars, to which Fritz the Fool--who had attended the court every day of the trial, and who had the fleetest foot of any man for a dozen miles round--had already conveyed the news of Gautran's acquittal, the discussion was loud and animated; the women regarding the result as an outrage on their sex, the men more disposed to put Gautran out of the question, and to throw upon the Advocate the opprobrium of the verdict.
"Did I not tell you," said Fritz, "that he could turn black into white? A great man--a great man! If we had more like him, murdering would be a fine trade."