These preliminaries being arranged to the satisfaction of all concerned, and the host having retired to fetch the refreshment, Mr. Jeremy remarked to his companion with a wonderful air of reflection: "Honest, unassooming feller."
"Very," says the other, more gloomily than ever.
Mr. Jeremy then observed us for the first time. We returned his gaze with one of the most simple unconcern.
"Nice day," says he.
"Very," says I heartily.
Here the host returned with the refreshment, and having pledged each other, they drank solemnly and copiously.
"Well, Mr. Jeremy," says the host, "what are you after this time? It's a murder, I know, for you to be taking it on. You never do nothing under a murder, you don't, as I've heard you say."
"You don't mean to say as you 'aven't 'eard?" says Mr. Jeremy. "The whole case was printed in this morning's Gazette. It's no small thing, this isn't, I can tell you. The quality's in it, to start with."
"Ha!" says the landlord, with breathless interest. "Is it a hanging matter?"
"Of course," says Mr. Jeremy. "And a hearl, and a thorough bad lot too. A thorough wicked feller with a record as black as your hat. I always say when one of that sort goes wrong he's much worse than ord'nary."