Malachi tilted his head as he continued to stare at the disagreeable lawman.

"The barman?" he inquired, as if he'd never considered such a thing. "It is the word of a barman against that of a priest, then?"

His finger tapped lightly against the back of the boy's shoulder, but he kept his eyes on the constable.

"I am sorry, constable, but I said no such thing. I only ever asked if we could speak outside. Or do you care to fetch the barman and ask him?"