' But old
Chaffanbrass went on just the same. It took them two hours and a half
before they could swear a jury."
"But, Mr. Erle,--taking it altogether,--which way is it going?"
"Nobody can even guess as yet. There was ever so much delay besides
that about the jury. It seemed that somebody had called him Phinees
instead of Phineas, and that took half an hour. They begin with the
quarrel at the club, and are to call the first witness to-morrow
morning. They are to examine Ratler about the quarrel, and
Fitzgibbon, and Monk, and, I believe, old Bouncer, the man who
writes, you know. They all heard what took place."
"So did you?"
"I have managed to escape that. They can't very well examine all the
club. But I shall be called afterwards as to what took place at the
door. They will begin with Ratler."
"Everybody knows there was a quarrel, and that Mr. Bonteen had been
drinking, and that he behaved as badly as a man could behave."
"It must all be proved, Duchess."
"I'll tell you what, Mr. Erle. If,--if,--if this ends badly for Mr.
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