It was indeed no more than a humdrum narrative of a vulgar crime.

But it was necessary that he should know all about it, and be able to summarize it, and so he read it over with unusual care.

It was a very plain story--there were no complications.

It appeared from the evidence adduced that for some time previous to 1881 there had been in existence in Wilchester a building society, the members of which were chiefly of the small tradesman and better-class working-man order.

Its chief officials for a year or two had been John Mallows and Mark Chidforth, who were respectively treasurer and secretary.