“Bame,” said the constable, lowering his voice. “He is one of the prime movers against Papists and scoffers of religion.”
“Of the established church, eh?”
“Nay, a sour, morose Brownist, who strikes at all but his own sect.”
“A gad fly,” said Tabbard.
“An asp, more like; a carrion-eating swine!” exclaimed Gyves, as though the words were the froth of bitter recollections.
“Is his rope long?”
“As long as the laws under which he acts.”
“And who is the accused in this case?”
“Chris—”
He checked himself and then continued: