He made a dismal
shake or two of his head, and lifted his hand as they drew near. Toole's
heart misgave him.
'Well, how is it?--what's the news?' he panted.
'A true bill,' answered Spaight, with a solemn stare; 'a true bill,
Sir.'
Toole uttered an oath of consternation, and taking the words out of
Spaight's mouth, told the news to the major.
'Do you tell me so?' exclaimed the major. 'Bedad, Sir, I'm uncommon
sorry.'
'A bad business, Sir,' observed Spaight.
'No worse,' said Toole. 'If they convict him on this, you know--in case
Sturk dies, and die he will--they'll indict and convict him on the more
_serious_ charge,' and he winked gloomily, 'the evidence is all one.'
'That poor little Sally Nutter!' ejaculated the major. 'She's to be
pitied, the crature!'
''Tis mighty slender evidence to take a man's life on,' said Toole, with
some disgust. 'Be the law, Sir, the whole thing gives me a complete
turn. Are you to dine with Colonel Strafford to-day?'
'I am, Sir,' said the major; 'an' it goes again' the colonel's grain to
have a party at all just now, with the respect he has for the family up
there,' and he nodded his head, pensively, toward the Elms.
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