“The deuce! Who could have shot him?” “Loafing Joe they say. At least old Wheeler, whom I met at the upper end of the village, told me so.” “There’s a chance for a suit for you, Squire! John P. will complain, wont he?” “No doubt of it. Well Joe has got nothing, so he must e’en go to jail!” “Good riddance for the village. I wish the vagabond was always there.” “So do I. Good morning.” “Good morning, Squire.” Over goes the mischief-maker to Hamble’s across the road. “Good morning, Hamble!” as he enters the bar-room, where he finds that worthy making his lemons still sourer by looking at them. “Have you heard the news, Hamble!” elevating his heels on the bar-room table, and deliberately drawing out a cigar. “By the way, Hamble, give me a light.” (He is also the most free and easy fellow in the world.) “News! no—what news?” “They say that old Wheeler shot John P.’s dog last night!” “_They_ say! _who_ says? _They_ say means nobody.” “Well, _they_ say in this case means your own son-in-law. Saint John just told me so.” “Where! I don’t believe it!” “Well, you are very polite, Hamble. (Puffing away at his cigar in the most imperturbable manner possible.) Saint told me so in his own store not a minute ago. (Knocking off the gray ashy tip of his cigar with his little finger.) However, it is a secret. Don’t say to Saint that _I_ told you, for he’ll be angry with me.” “Not I. I shant probably think of it again.” Down goes Belldong, not half satisfied yet, to Claypole’s store. “Hellow, Claypole! how goes it with you this beautiful summer’s morning? Heigho! I’m so confounded sleepy, I can hardly see.” “What’s the matter now, Squire?” “Why I was kept awake nearly all night, last night, by that infernal dog of John P.’s. By the way, have you heard the news?” “No! what is it?” “Saint John shot that devilish dog last night.” “N-o! you don’t say so!” “Yes, but I do say so, and know so too.” (Very positively, at the same time throwing away the stump of his cigar.) “Why, who told you so?” “Hamble—not a minute ago. He’s good authority isn’t he? About his own son-in-law, too?” “Why, yes—he’s the best kind of authority, considering whom he tells it of.” “Well it’s true, no doubt of it. However, don’t say I told you that Hamble told me. It might get me into trouble.”