"But how could it be, man? 'Twere that knife. Who could ha' got it? Paul never allowed onybody to get into the office. The door was locked, the window was locked. No, no! Ay, but it's terrible!"
"Haaf-past seven, as I've heerd, it's going to take place," said another.
"Nay, haaf-past eight."
"I wonder if he's made his peace with God?"
"Perhaps; we shall never know. Paul was never a chap to say much about that kind of thing."
"I've just come from a prayer-meeting at Hanover Chapel. Never was there such a prayer-meeting before. Paul never went to chapel, but, but there——"
"Well, God Almighty knows if he's innocent," said another.
"Yes," was the reply. "And it's a good thing, too, that his mother'll know nothing about it. I've heerd as 'ow Dr. White says that even if she lives her mind'll never come back to her again."
"I suppose Judge Bolitho's still in th' town?"
"Ay; I hear he's been writing to th' Home Secretary. I know he's been to London more nor once."