"I'll take my chance."

I tried to stop him; Mostyn, too, stepped forward, and Bristol
swore frankly. But it was all of no avail.

A sort of chill seemed to claim my very soul when I saw the
constable stoop, unconcernedly pick up the slipper, and replace it
in the broken case.

It was out of a silence cathedral-like, awesome, that he spoke.

"All you want is a new pane of glass, sir," he said--"and the
thing's done."

I anticipate in mentioning it here; but since Constable Hughes
has no further place in these records I may perhaps be excused for
dismissing him at this point.

He was picked up outside the section house on the following evening
with his right hand severed just above the wrist.




CHAPTER XIV

A SCREAM IN THE NIGHT


The day that followed was one of the hottest which we experienced