"What is it, Joshua?"
"There has been a fearful outbreak of lawlessness in Douglas this evening—breaking of shop-windows, looting of the houses of well-to-do people, assaults and outrages of all kinds."
"What is the reason of it?"
"Mob reason, and you know what that is, your Honour. They say justice in the island is corrupt. If you are rich you get whatever you want. If you are poor you get nothing. A guilty man and a guilty woman have been allowed to escape. Why? Because the man belongs to a family of 'the big ones' and is a friend of the Deemster."
"Who say that?"
"Old Qualtrough and Dan Baldromma."
"Baldromma? If his step-daughter has escaped what has he to complain of?"
"Nothing, but that's not the worst, Sir."
"What is?"
"The Governor has telegraphed for soldiers from across the water. They are to come over by the first boat in the morning. It's a frightful blunder, Sir."