Page:Doctor Syn - A Smuggler Tale of the Romney Marsh.djvu/106

 "any one found sheltering, feeding, or in any way abetting the said mulatto would be prosecuted."

As it was now approaching dinner-time, further matters were left over until such time as the mulatto should be caught.

This, Doctor Syn vehemently urged, was of grave import to the Marsh folk, for so long as that maniac starved upon the Marsh, with a good weapon in his hand, they were open to the same fate as that which had befallen the inoffensive Pepper.

The captain rose first, left the Court House, and set off for the Ship Inn without a word to the squire, the latter, accompanied by the attorneys and medical men, repairing to the dining-hall below. Doctor Syn, however, went from group to group, impressing the necessity for posses of men to scour the Marsh for the missing seaman.

This gave Rash an opportunity of approaching Jerk, who, being due to dine at the vicarage, was awaiting the parson's pleasure.

"Well! And what do you think of Court House inquiries, Mr. Jerk?" he said affably. "Impressive, ain't they?"

"Not to me," replied Jerry. "I don't think nothing at all of 'em. After all the messing of them lawyers, I shouldn't be surprised if they hadn't got hold of the wrong end of the stick, should you?"

"What do you mean—the wrong end?"