The big dining-room at the hotel was crowded and people stood about the veranda. Although the windows were open, the room smelled of hot iron, tobacco and damp clothes, but sometimes one smelled the pines and heard the rain. Inglis occupied the clerk’s desk and studied the crowd. He was short and rather fat and his clothes were the clothes small settlement stores supply.
For the most part, the men’s faces indicated curiosity. Some, however, were sympathetic and some frankly hostile. Helensville had not made the progress its founders promised, the settlers’ money had melted and a number had not yet got the lots they bought. They admitted they did not know if Caverhill himself were accountable, but he belonged to the frame-up g**g.
Bob and Constable Grant occupied chairs in front of the de
