"We believe Mr. Keith. If Mr. Ward and Frank Munro were there, of course
there can be no doubt." Somehow Keith could not resent the implication; it
was too impersonally delivered. Carter went on with cold formality and
emphasis; "Mr. Keith had a very narrow escape. It was lucky for him that
your hired men had 'sucked' your waterbox. In view of that we can, of
course, no longer regret the fact."

"It was a dirty trick just the same!" growled a voice out of the crowd.

Carter turned a deliberate look in that direction, and nothing more was
said. Bennett ignored the interruption, bowed frigidly, and turned away.
The Eureka leaders nodded. In dead silence Keith and Bennett withdrew.

"That settles _that_!" observed Bennett, when at a little distance. "A lot
of cheap shopkeepers! It makes me disgusted every time I have anythin' to
do with them!"

As they walked away, one of the hangers-on of the police court approached,
touching his hat.

"For you, Mr. Bennett," he said most respectfully, proffering a paper.

"Me?" observed Bennett, surprised. He unfolded the paper, glanced at it,
and laughed. "I'm arrested for wingin' that 'shoulder-striker' up the
street a while back," he told Keith.

"Anything I can do?" asked Keith anxiously.

"Not a thing, thank you. There'll be no trouble at all--just a little