"Hold on," remarked the sailor in a somewhat American fashion, "it is because appearances are dead against him that I assist. Both in the States out West and in Mexico, I was nearly lynched for horse-stealing. The evidence was plumb against me, and but that good-luck came my way at the eleventh hour, I should have been a goner. Can you wonder then that my sympathies are with Herries?"
"I see, you have a fellow feeling."
"You might put it that way."
"The hall," boomed Mrs. Mountford once more, "is scarcely the place to discuss these matters."
"I entirely agree with you," said the doctor, with emphasis, "so I take my leave. If you have any influence with Miss Tedder, ma'am, I advise you to induce her to be less bloodthirsty."
"Me," cried Maud, in a shrill and angry tone, like an infuriated mosquito, "me, bloodthirsty?"
"None the worse for that," said her lover genially. "We don't stock a cotton-wool civilisation in Indiana."
Browne laughed. He rather liked Kyles, and his abrupt way of dealing with Miss Tedder. When they were married, it was easy seen who would rule the house, for all Maud's airs and graces and feminine wiles seemed to make very little impression on the rover. No doubt, so good-looking a fellow had been much run after by the fair sex, and had learned how to govern women.
"Good-day, Captain," said the doctor heartily, "I am glad you can see further than your nose in this case. I presume I'll meet you at the inquest to-morrow?"
"Bruce will take me," said Maud hastily.