CHAPTER XXXVII
WHICH GIVETH SOME DESCRIPTION OF A MURDERER’S HAT
“Why such speed, sir?” inquired the Corporal as they galloped up the long hill out of Seaford.
“Aye, why indeed!” answered Sir John. “Life is short enough o’ conscience! Let us then rather amble the whiles I sum up our case as it standeth to-day. And heed and mark me well, Robert.... And we begin with my Lord Sayle, a sordid creature of sordid tastes, of whom ’twere better to talk in metaphor.... My Lord Sayle, then, is reported to have a keen eye for beauty and a catholic taste; the stately lily, the humble, modest violet each alike find favour in his eyes and he culleth them as he may; he acquireth by money, by guile, by force—aye, frequently by force, for the which he useth divers agents ... and James Sturton we know for one of these agents.
“Upon a certain evening some two years ago, a young village girl went up Windover, she going thither to carry a cake to her lover, Roger Hobden, who was tending sheep there. So much at least we know for fact; here followeth surmise: James Sturton, in company with another of my lord’s agents, by name Jonas Skag, being about their master’s evil business, there met with her, and in this desolate place she screamed, and with good reason! Hearing which outcry, Hobden came running. He fought desperately, one against the two, or more for aught we know, and in the struggle received a blow struck, as I believe, by Sturton, though much harder than he meant.... And so died poor Roger Hobden.”
“But why should you think ’twas Sturton struck the fatal blow, sir?”
“Why should Sturton be paying ‘hush-money’ to Jonas Skag?”
“Aye, true, your honour!”
“And have become my lord’s very slave?”