He lit the lamp and, after hunting around for some cleaning kit, began mechanically to clean his dusty riding boots, preparatory to going out. Whilst thus engaged, the door opened, admitting Sergeant Churchill.
"Hello, Ben," greeted that individual, with an assumption of geniality. "You still here?"
Ellis turned and, straightening himself up, regarded the other with languid interest.
"Hello," he returned. "Train in? Was beginning to think you'd deserted."
Churchill did not answer immediately but, divesting himself of his side-arms and serge, sat down and proceeded to smoke.
"Had a trip up to the 'Pen' with a bunch o' prisoners," he volunteered presently. "Yours amongst 'em. That Fisk started in to give us a lot o' trouble on th' way, but we put th' kibosh on _him_ properly, before we got there."
"M'm, m'm," said Benton absently. "He's a bad actor, 'Big George.' How d'you make out with that perjury case of yours?"
"Nine months," answered Churchill laconically.
A long silence ensued, during which Ellis continued his polishing, Churchill eyeing him furtively meanwhile.
"Must have got a bad smash?" he ventured, indicating the other's bandaged head. "Heard all about it at th' Post."
"Oh," replied Ellis indifferently, "did you?"
His tone was anything but encouraging. Churchill licked his lips and essayed another attempt.
"What verdicts did the coroner's jury bring in on those cases?" he inquired, with a forced carelessness in his tone that did not deceive Benton in the least. "I haven't seen th' paper."
Ellis, with his foot on a chair, paused and turned, brush in hand.
Churchill, avoiding the other's eyes and fumbling with his pipe, repeated the question.
Benton reached for a memorandum form that lay on the desk, and tossed it over unceremoniously.
"There's a copy of the wording of the findings," he said shortly. "Condensed, it practically amounts to 'death, caused by an act of justifiable homicide,' in the one case, 'manslaughter,' in the other...."
He finished his cleaning operations and proceeded to pull on his serge. Churchill fidgeted uneasily.
"Was there--what kind of evidence was adduced?" he began. "Did--?"
"Here!" interrupted Ellis harshly. "What the devil are _you_ beating 'round the bush for? Why don't you come across with it plain? What d'you want to know?"