And at its end Mallalieu laughed again, still affecting sneering and incredulous sentiments.
"Aye ?--and why did one or t'other or both--have it which way you will--murder this here old gentleman ?" he demanded.

"Why, Mr.
Sharp-nose ?" "I'll tell you--and then you'll know what I know," answered Stoner.
"Because the old gentleman was an ex-detective, who was present when you and Cotherstone, under your proper names of Mallows and Chidforth, were tried for fraud at Wilchester Assizes, thirty years ago, and sentenced to two years! That's why, Mr.Mallalieu.The old chap knew it, and he let you know that he knew it, and you killed him to silence him.

You didn't want it to get out that the Mayor and Borough Treasurer of Highmarket, so respected, so much thought of, are--a couple of old gaol-birds!" Mallalieu's hot temper, held very well in check until then, flamed up as Stoner spat out the last contemptuous epithet.

He had stood with his right hand behind him, grasping his heavy oaken stick--now, as his rage suddenly boiled, he swung hand and stick round in a savage blow at his tormentor, and the crook of the stick fell crashing against Stoner's temples.

So quick was the blow, so sudden the assault, that the clerk had time to do no more than throw up an arm.