"How absurd! I was speaking to the policeman about that very thing a few days ago; and he laughed at the idea. He says it is impossible; and of course he knows best."
"I am not so sure of that. Who knows what fearful deeds have those old walls concealed from human eye? For my part, I can very well believe that there are secret cells and caverns. Who knows but that some poor wretch is hiding there this very moment?"
"Perhaps the man that murdered his wife up in Union Court."
"Well—who knows? But at this rate we shall never get on with our work."
The noise of a window being shut down fell upon the murderer's ears: and he heard no more.
But he had heard enough! Those girls had spoken of him:—they had mentioned him as the man who had murdered his wife.
The assassination, then, was already known: the dread deed was bruited abroad:—thousands and thousands of tongues had no doubt repeated the tale here and there—conveying it hither and thither—far and wide!
And throughout the vast metropolis was he already spoken of as the man who had murdered his wife!
And in a few hours more, would millions in all parts hear of the man who had murdered his wife!
And already were the officers of justice actively in search of the man who had murdered his wife!