Gathering, gathering along the narrow street, came a hollow, measured sound; now forcing itself on their attention. Many voices were hushed and low: many steps were heard, not moving onwards, at least not with any rapidity or steadiness of motion, but as if circling round one spot. Yes, there was one distinct, slow tramp of feet, which made itself a clear path through the air, and reached their ears; the measured laboured walk of men carrying a heavy burden. They were all drawn towards the house-door by some irresistible impulse; impelled thither--not by a poor curiosity, but as if by some solemn blast.
Six men walked in the middle of the road, three of them being policemen. They carried a door, taken off its hinges, upon their shoulders, on which lay some dead human creature; and from each side of the door there were constant droppings. All the street turned out to see, and, seeing, to accompany the procession, each one questioning the bearers, who answered almost reluctantly at last, so often had they told the tale.
"We found him i' th' brook in the field beyond there."
"Th' brook!--why there's not water enough to drown him!"

Gathering along the narrow street, came a hollow, measured sound, forcing itself on their attention. Many voices were hushed and low: there was a distinct, slow tramp of feet, the laboured walk of men carrying a heavy burden. They were all drawn towards the house-door by some impulse.
Six men walked in the middle of the road, three of them policemen. Upon their shoulders they carried a door, taken off its hinges, on which lay some dead human creature; and the door was dripping. All the street turned out to see the procession, questioning the bearers, who answered reluctantly at last.
'We found him i' th' brook in the field beyond there.'
'Th' brook! - why, there's not water enough to drown him!'
