Access Online - The European Library

302 BLACK SHEEP." Haul him out, ancl let's see."They do haul him out, and they do see.Hisface is rather bluish in colour, ancl his eyes aroopen, but his hands are clenched, and his tongueis rigid. And he is quite dead. So there is agreat sensation around the prison. The senselessfigure is carried into the prison, the door ispromptly shut, and the rumour spreads throughthe crowd, trying to find chinks which do notexist, and to hear sounds inaudible, that the" murder" case is disposed of, the prisoner havingtried, condemned, and executed himself. And,though the incident is highly sensational, thogeneral feelingis disappointment.A woman, plainly dressed ancl closely veiled,who has been lingering about the street for sometime, and was there when the van arrived, hasseen the figure lifted from the van and has heardthe rumour. But she waits a little while longer,until a policeman comes out of a side-entrance,and while some eager inquirers, chiefly women,question him, and he tells them it is quite time,the man committed for trial for the river-sidomurder is really dead, she stands by ancl listens.