What did you do next ?" Rance resumed his seat, without however losing his mystified expression.
"I went back to the gate and sounded my whistle.

That brought Murcher and two more to the spot." "Was the street empty then ?" "Well, it was, as far as anybody that could be of any good goes." "What do you mean ?" The constable's features broadened into a grin.

"I've seen many a drunk chap in my time," he said, "but never anyone so cryin' drunk as that cove.

He was at the gate when I came out, a-leanin' up agin the railings, and a-singin' at the pitch o' his lungs about Columbine's New-fangled Banner, or some such stuff.

He couldn't stand, far less help." "What sort of a man was he ?" asked Sherlock Holmes.
John Rance appeared to be somewhat irritated at this digression.