Page:Georges Eekhoud - Escal Vigor, a novel.djvu/288

264 dealer—out of justice, the crime an act of salubrity and public vindication. It sufficed for the wretch to utter a single word of accusation for the whole island to lose its self-control like drunken madmen.

Not a single one but would have given the culprit a kick in the back. But some now began to hold aloof; whilst others considered that he had not even yet had enough. "When you have finished him," Landrillon said to the females, "we'll chuck him into the sea."

"Yes, into the sea, with him, the infamous beast!"

They were about to carry him through the Fair, away over to the shore, when an unexpected diversion took place.