"Yeigh, that there be," responded old Mitton.
But the words were scarcely uttered, when he was felled to the ground by the bludgeon of James Device.
"Ey'd sarve thee i' t' same way, fo' two pins," said Jem, regarding Potts with a savage look.
"No violence, Jem," cried Nicholas, authoritatively—"you do harm to the cause you would serve by your outrageous conduct."
"Beg pardon, squoire," replied Jem, "boh ey winna hear lies towd abowt Mistress Nutter."
"No one shan speak ill on her here," cried the hinds.
"Well, Master Nowell," said Nicholas, "are you willing to concede the matter at once, or will you pursue the investigation further?"
"I will ascertain the extent of the mischief done to me before I stop," rejoined the magistrate, angrily.
"Forward, then," cried Nicholas. "Our course now lies along this footpath, with a croft on the left, and an old barn on the right. Here the plans correspond, I believe, Master Potts?"
The attorney yielded a reluctant assent.