"But for Colonel West there'd have been no further bother," cried the aggrieved stationmaster, who thought Cooper ought to have been committed for trial on the spot.
It was certainly singular that the only two witnesses, apart from those interested, should testify so positively in exact opposition to each other. As the spectators poured out of the inquest-room, they formed into knots to discuss it. Neither the one nor the other had any interest to favour the station people or to screen Cooper; and, indeed, both were above suspicion of anything of the sort. Colonel West had never before heard of Cooper; Oliver Jupp knew him, and was evidently sorry to give evidence against him. On the other hand, Oliver Jupp did not know the stationmaster, while Colonel West was friendly with him.
"Will you go back with me to Guild, and stay the rest of the day?" asked Mr. Lake, putting his arm within Oliver Jupp's.
"Can't," returned Oliver. "Promised them at home to get back with the verdict as soon as it was over."
"But there is no verdict."
"All the same; they'll want to know the why and the wherefore."
"As if you could not keep the girls waiting for once!"
"It's not the girls, it's the old folks; and Guild has no charms for me today. Lydia Clapperton's gone."
Mr. Lake laughed. "I say, Jupp, how could you swear so hard about the lights?"
"They swore me. I didn't ask for it."