'No one believes it, Dennis,' said Dauntsey.
'I am glad to hear you say so again,' said Jim; 'but it sticks, after all these years. There is trouble brewing again around here, let me tell you. Seth Sharp has been at Barker's Creek ever since his discharge from prison. They ought to have hanged him.'
'Seth Sharp at Barker's Creek!' exclaimed both Dr Tom and Adye Dauntsey. 'Surely you don't mean that?'
'I'll swear I saw him last week, and where should he be located around here if not at Barker's Creek?'
'That man's a murderer,' said Adye Dauntsey. 'How he got off with only fifteen years the lord only knows. How quickly time flies. Are you quite sure, Jim, you have made no mistake?'
'Certain. I know him. Haven't I fought him and beaten him? The look he gave me as we passed each other was quite enough.'
'This shall be attended to,' said Dauntsey. 'Machinson must inquire into it. He cannot know anything about it.'
'He ought to,' said Jim. 'It is more his business than mine.'
There was a shout outside, and Dr Tom went to the door.
'Come in, Shaw,' he said.