“Nay, as for his complexion I can say nothing, for in the dark, you know, all cats are grey.”

“True; but you could swear to the man being tall and thin, Master Landlord?”

“In faith I could, and your tall, thin men are just what I dislike—bah! They seldom drink much.”

“Most true—I thank you. ’Tis a barbarous murder.”

“Would you like, sir, to see the corpse?” said the landlord, in an under tone.

“The corpse?” echoed Gray.

“Ay; he was a fine fellow. You must know that Sir Francis Hartleton has been here—”

“The magistrate?”

“Yes. He is here, and there, and everywhere; and no sooner did he hear of the body of a murdered man being found in the Bishop’s Walk, than he had a cast across the Thames from his own house in Abingdon-street.”

“Yes—yes,” said Gray, abstractedly.