Everyone in the market had heard the rumors

It was difficult not to. They all talked about it in whispers. The rumor had spread through the undertones of their voices and through their fidgeting bodies when they discussed it. They could not help themselves but talk, and yet they did so in fear of being found out.

It had appeared that the entire market was afraid of being caught debating something which was, in their public view, a ridiculous notion or, at best, a fantastic theory.