We tracked the step, Lowe and I, to the bank, near the horse-track,
in Barrack Street, just where the water deepens--there's usually five
feet of water there, and that night there was little short of ten. Now,
take it, that Nutter and Sturk had a tussle--and the thing happened, you
know--and Sturk got the worst of it, and was, in fact, despatched, why,
you know the kind of panic--and--and--the panic--you know--a poor dog,
finding himself so situated, would be in--with the bitter, old quarrel
between them--d'ye see? And this at the back of his vapours and
blue-devils, for he was dumpish enough before, and would send a man like
Nutter into a resolution of making away with himself; and that's how it
happened, you may safely swear.'
'And what do _you_ think, Mr. Dangerfield?' asked the major.
'Upon my life,' said Dangerfield, briskly, lowering his newspaper to his
knee, with a sharp rustle, 'these are questions I don't like to meddle
in. Certainly, he had considerable provocation, as I happen to know; and
there was no love lost--that I know too. But I quite agree with Doctor
Toole--if he was the man, I venture to say 'twas a fair fight.
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